Knock On The Head has each-way appeal
Proven in the mud, he was trading as high as 25-1 last night and is worth a minor investment.
The selection’s best performance over fences came in heavy ground at Gowran Park back in February when strolling to an easy victory, after being backed down to favouritism.
He returned to action in a moderate contest at Tipperary ten day ago and didn’t exactly cover himself in glory, finishing fifth of five finishers behind Sher Why Not.
That extended two miles, round that track, was far too short, however, and he can at least leave that effort solidly behind.
Roby de Cimbre attempts to do an Oslot, easy winner last year, and repeat the feat for Paul Nicholls and Ruby Walsh.
But all the indications are that he is far from being a star and it may pay to look elsewhere for the likely winner.
Northern Alliance, who ran a cracker on the flat at Killarney, has to be on the short-list, while potentially the best handicapped horse in the the contest is Wins Now.
He was a really smart novice hurdler, but has never made it over fences. There is still time and Wins Now had a confidence-booster when taking a poor race at Tipperary.
Willie Mullins’ Blackstairmountain gets the nap in the williamhill.com-casino Maiden. A dual bumper winner, his first outing on the flat saw him chase home subsequent Killarney winner, Drive Time, at Leopardstown.
Dermot Weld’s Precious Gem gets the nod in the williamhill.com-vegas Maiden. She was a 33-1 shot when a close third behind Gleaming Silver and Hideaway Girl at Leopardstown in May and, we can be sure, will be a lot tighter now. This is the first occasion Pat Smullen rides.
Hintsnallegations, who battled well when runner-up to Pires at Killarney, will relish the climb home and can take the William Hill In Ireland Novice Hurdle.
