Chip Tea looks tasty
Noel Meade’s charge performed reasonably well in a couple of bumpers, but looked an entirely different proposition when launched over flights at Kilbeggan 20 days ago.
Considering he had been mildly disappointing when only fifth at the Galway Festival previously, the five-year-old proved very strong in the market.
The confidence was fully justified, with Chip Tea cruising through the contest to beat Dusty Trail by an unflattering four lengths.
The bare form is undoubtedly modest, but there was a swagger about the display which was impressive and the Heron Island gelding is fancied to have the legs on Cork winner, Total Excitement.
Just For Mary, deprived of a suitable opportunity with the abandonment of the three sprints at Cork on Sunday, gets another opportunity in the five furlongs Mirror Handicap.
He has developed into a thoroughly reliable sort and can reverse placings with Santo Padre, who beat him a neck into second at Tipperary, on 3lbs better terms.
At Wexford tonight, Willie Mullins’ Themoonandsixpence must be the choice to get off the mark at the first time of asking over fences in the Audrey McGrath Memorial Beginners Chase.
A more than useful hurdler, he arrives now on the back of decent successes at Killarney and Kilbeggan.
Themoonandsixpence is different class to the opposition and this was always going to be the true calling for the son of Presenting.
The Sliabh Coilte Maiden Hurdle won’t take a lot of winning and, perhaps, Karaking, runner-up behind Dawn Valentino at Tramore, will prove good enough.
