Vic Venturi can follow up
Hughes has his charges in fine shape right now and lies fourth in the trainers’ championship with 27 winners.
Vic Venturi can blow hot and cold but will arrive fit and well, following a solid start to the season on this track last month.
He made most of the running to beat Rathmore Castle by six lengths and that was an encouraging display.
It was an ordinary contest, of course, but Hughes admitted to mild surprise at the victory, believing his nine-year-old would need the outing.
Willie Mullins can land a first and last race double with Fionnegas and Florida Pal.
The unbeaten Fionnegas, successful in two bumpers, made a great start to jumping when taking a maiden hurdle at Ballinrobe in May and can land the INH Stallion Owners’ EBF Novice Hurdle.
Florida Pal has to get the vote in the Bumper. He proved very disappointing until running away with a maiden hurdle to the tune of ten lengths on this track in March.
The indications then were that he was very much on the upgrade and he is now able to go back into bumper company, having lost that race later on a technicality.
Philip Fenton’s Strange Encounter, even if the trip of just over two miles is on the short side, gets the nod in the Clonmel Oil Day Handicap Hurdle.
He bolted in by ten lengths over two miles and five at Limerick on Monday and it’s no surprise Fenton turns him out again quickly, under a mandatory 6lbs penalty.
