Saludos can set record straight
The six-year-old loves to front-run, is tough and certainly will not go down without a fight. He was beaten a neck into second by Hollo Ladies at Leopardstown at Christmas and has to be fancied to reverse those placings.
He now reopposes Hollo Ladies on 9lbs better terms and that looks more than enough. As well as that the selection jumps for fun and the fact the final flight was omitted at Leopardstown was not in his favour.
The other Grade 2 is the Punchestown Pavilion Tied Cottage Chase and this promises a fascinating battle between Big Zeb and Golden Silver
Big Zeb made a smashing seasonal debut at Navan, but then ran no sort of race when a bad fourth behind Twist Magic at Sandown. His trainer, Colm Murphy, now believes Big Zeb is best fresh so that theory is set to be tested.
Preference is for Golden Silver, who seems to have improved plenty this season and was good at Leopardstown when outbattling Tranquil Sea.
The www.punchestown.com Maiden Hurdle can go to Noel Meade’s Perfect Smile, who was a length and a quarter runner-up behind Stonemaster on this track last time.
The selection hit the front going to the second last and was then worried out of it by a resolute opponent. Expect Paul Carberry to delay his challenge for a lot longer on this occasion.
Dermot Weld’s small team of National Hunt horses are in rare form and his New Phase can prove another for him in the Corporate Hospitality Hurdle at Fairyhouse today.
New Phase ran well enough at Leopardstown, fourth behind Fen Game, and will surely strip fitter now in what looks a weaker contest.
Willie Mullins’ Don’t Turn Bach is hard to oppose in the fairyhouse.ie Maiden Hurdle. He’s won bumpers at Gowran Park and Leopardstown and a competent round of jumping will suffice.
At Limerick tomorrow Sounds Of Jupiter, beaten by Action Master at Thurles on his latest appearance, has to be fancied to go one better in the opening Maiden Hurdle.
Kieran Purcell’s The Kings Sword can provide the answer to the March 13th and 14th Family Racing Weekend Maiden Hurdle.
He was a costly failure when only to Roi Du Mee at Gowran Park in December, but stepping up another six furlongs in trip now is an obvious plus.
