Sweet set to lord it
Willie Mullins does really well with horses from this quarter and the four-year-old will surely be primed to make a winning start in his new country.
His only outing to date came at Nantes back in October when he won a mile and a half, 12-runner, bumper by two lengths.
This is certainly a gentle introduction to jumping and Sweet My Lord will not have to be a star to get it right at the first time of asking.
Ruby Walsh partners the nap choice and he and Mullins could also combine to take the Caragh Maiden Hurdle with Gagewell Flyer.
The six-year-old hasn’t been seen since making little impression behind Dunguib in the Weatherbys’ Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival a year ago.
Previously, however, Gagewell Flyer had looked a useful sort in the making when beating the smart Coole River by nine lengths at Fairyhouse.
Francis Flood’s In Great Form is the one to beat in the Monread Bumper, his first time contesting a race of this nature.
In Great Form’s two outings to date have been over flights and he did hint at better to come when staying on late, under Tony McCoy, when runner-up behind Ionisphere at Fairyhouse last month.
The Naas Sunday Market Begins Next Sunday Bumper will surely go to one of a trio of newcomers, Fort Defiance, Major Bellamy or Mystic Smile.
Eddie Hales’ Major Bellamy is by the former Aidan O’Brien-trained Black Sam Bellamy, while Kevin Prendergast’s Mystic Smile’s father is the great Danehill Dancer.
The vote, though, falls on Dermot Weld’s Fort Definace, who is bred to win a Derby, by Dalakhani out of a Dancing Brave mare.
