Joncol looks the percentage bet in tricky Hennessy
But Coodline thrives on his racing and circumstances have dictated that he competes now with only one unsatisfactory display in the Lexus at Leopardstown under his belt. Willie Mullins’ mildly negative mutterings are also a worry.
In a particularly tricky contest, even if there are only seven runners, the final nod falls on Joncol. He was third behind What A Friend in the Lexus and has a place and a length and a quarter to find with Money Trix.
But Joncol ran with the choke out for much of the journey and Paul Nolan says a lot more restraint will now be exercised.
Connections of Dunguib are set to walk the track before deciding if their stable star will face the starter in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle.
He’s won his three races over flights without breaking sweat and, if the green light is given, will be hard to oppose.
Pittoni looked one of the best four-year-olds in the country when beating Doctor Deejay at Punchestown and gets the nap in the Spring Juvenile Hurdle.
Roberta Goldback, who jumped for fun when scoring at Leopardstown 15 days ago, can provide the solution to the Dr P J Moriarty Chase, over his ideal trip.
Pat Hughes’ Caduceus gets the nap to land the 25-runner More ANTE-POST Value On Betfair Maiden Hurdle at Naas this afternoon.
Winner of a point-to-point and a bumper at Punchestown, he looks to be a horse with a decent future. The six-year-old ran a fine race over flights at Fairyhouse last time and any improvement on that will see him prove hard to beat.
Caduceus attempted to make all the running, but proved no match for the well-regarded Arkiva Ligeonniere, going down by five lengths.
There was a lot to like about the manner in which battled on, however, and the fact it was ten lengths back to the third was encouraging.
Gordon Elliott’s Grey Soldier is a reasonably confident choice to win another 25-horse affair, the Paddy Power Chel Trial Sunday Maiden Hurdle.
The winner of a Listed race on the flat in France, he has produced two solid efforts over hurdles, both at Leopardstown.
His latest effort was his best, runner-up behind Rite Of Passage, and although ultimately outclassed faces nothing of that calibre now.
The ground will hardly be to the liking of Captain Cee Bee, but it will be a shock should he fail to deliver in the BBA Ireland Ltd Opera Hat Novice Chase.
