Dooneys can close gate on rivals
The nine-year-old is likely to arrive in good shape, following a game display in a handicap at Leopardstown last month.
He certainly dug down deep when the questions were asked by Ruby Walsh, finding plenty for pressure to beat Show Blessed (rec. 16lbs) by a length and a quarter.
Dooneys Gate now meets six rivals who are essentially struggling to find some form and should prove hard to beat.
The Grade 2 Nas Na Riogh Novice Chase, rescheduled from Naas last Sunday, promises a fascinating battle between An Cathaoir Mor, Jagoes Mills and Kempes.
An Cathaoir Mor produced the performance of his young life when grabbing Sports Line in the Arkle at Leopardstown, but now faces a stiff task conceding 7lbs to two smart opponents.
Kempes, beaten at 1-3 on this track, left that effort well behind when proving too strong for Nicanor at Fairyhouse.
The nod, however, falls on Jagoes Mills, who has had his problems, but is in good order right now.
After winning a moderate enough contest in good style at Thurles, Jagoes Mills stepped well up on that at Fairyhouse subsequently, slamming Becauseicouldntsee by nine lengths.
Becauseicouldntsee was in receipt of 6lbs then and boosted the form, scoring by a distance at Fairyhouse last Saturday.
Karinga Queen, beaten eight lengths into second by Jagoes Mills at Thurles, could be capable of taking the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Mares’ Beginners Chase.
