Fullback can make winning debut over fences
Eric McNamara’s six-year-old was a very decent hurdler, whose true calling was always going to be jumping fences.
He was last seen when winning by five and a half lengths at Killarney in May, but we can be certain his trainer will have him well primed for this test.
Prior to winning what was an ordinary Killarney contest, the selection produced a decent display at the Punchestown Festival.
In a valuable 23-runner handicap, Faltering Fullback was beaten a length and a quarter into second by Sesenta and that was a particularly promising effort.
Aidan O’Brien’s twice-raced Augustusthestrong can strike in the Helena Sheahan Memorial Maiden.
He showed a little ability in his only outing as a juvenile, before making a somewhat belated reappearance at Dundalk nine days ago.
The A P Indy colt was beaten into second by the 109-rated Dohasa and this represents a fair drop in class.
Feature event is the Guinness Handicap Hurdle and the hopeful nod here falls on Dani California.
She beat Valain (rec 1lb), successful in the meantime at Ffos Las, by two and a half lengths at Tramore and is fancied to at least confirm those placings.
Willie Mullins trains Dani California and can also suppply the solution to the Bumper with Flat Out.
He didn’t have a whole lot to beat when getting off the mark at Galway, but there was plenty to like about the manner in which he ran to the line.
