Facts point to a Footy success
Philip Enright takes the ride and he will certainly know precisely what’s required, having won the last two runnings of the contest on Preists Leap.
In his younger days Footy Facts appeared to have the potential to be a real star of the future, but never quite lived up to that billing. He lost his way somewhat, but has been very much on song of late and comes here in, arguably, the form of his life.
Robert Tyner’s charge got back on the winning trail when taking a handicap chase at Clonmel and then continued the upward curve over flights at Punchestown.
Always prominent, the selection shot away going to the second last to beat the evergreen, and since retired, Hardy Eustace by 13 lengths.
There are, of course, numerous dangers, headed by Beroni, who has shown extraordinary improvement since sent to Willie Mullins.
His record for Mullins is three from three, twice over flights and a cantering success in the Troytown Chase at Navan.
He went up 20lbs for Navan and it is a question now of how much more the champion trainer can squeeze out of him.
Preists Leap faces a difficult task off top weight, and up 11lbs since last year, while Siegemaster was raised 6lbs for finishing second to Oscar Time in the Paddy Power at Leopardstown.
A couple for the short-list are the tough Paddy Pub, Whinstone Boy, lurking down near the bottom of the weights, and the well-handicapped Pomme Tiepy, if she came back to something approaching her best.
The Grade 2 Alo Duffin Memorial Galmoy Hurdle can fall to Oscar Dan Dan, who is 5lbs better in with Powerstation for a beating of a length and three parts at Leopardstown.
Secant Star, who was clear when falling at the final flight at Leopardstown, has to get the nod in the Ballyhane Stud Maiden Hurdle.
Paul Nolan’s Point Of Light is one to note in the market, however, having taken six handicaps in-a-row on the flat for Mark Prescott last season.
