Waaheb poised for successful return

Off the track since April of last year, Waaheb will be expected to make a successful start over hurdles in the Premier Jump Weekend Hurdle in Fairyhouse today.

Dermot Weld earned well deserved plaudits after Rite Of Passage’s tremendous comeback triumph in Ascot on Saturday. And Waaheb, returning after an 18-month break, will be the focus of attention today as he faces six rivals on his hurdling debut.

A son of Elusive Quality, Waaheb landed three bumpers as a four-year-old, at Leopardstown (twice) and Limerick, in the colours of the trainer’s son Kris.

Purchased by JP McManus, he contested the Grade 1 champion bumper at the 2011 Punchestown festival and ran a tremendous race to be beaten a short-head by the talented but ill-fated Lovethehigherlaw.

Off the tack since then, Waaheb is entitled to be a little rusty on his return to competitive action. But, sure to know his job, Mark Walsh’s mount is difficult to oppose.

The Noel Meade-trained Cops And Robbers should provide Gigginstown House Stud with another success in the opening Dine In The Bobbyjo Bistro Maiden Hurdle.

A Pivotal gelding, successful for Michael Stoute at Newmarket in August of last year, he shaped with plenty of promise on his jumping debut at the Easter meeting at today’s venue.

He finished third, beaten more than eight lengths, to Ballynacree, an effort full of promise. And, with Noel Meade’s string in fine fettle, he should prove tough to beat, despite the claims of Henry de Bromhead’s former point-to-pointer Sizing Rio.

And another Gigginstown hope worthy of serious consideration is the Mouse Morris-trained War Correspondent, a half-brother to War Of Attrition, in the Hold An Event Sat Fairyhouse Maiden Hurdle.

This five-year-old Westerner gelding showed plenty of potential in three point-to-point outings and, following Rule The World’s impressive performance in Punchstown last week, market support for this fellow would be significant.