Equus Maximus can go the distance in Irish National
Consequently I’m into Leeds-Bradford and home via Birmingham, neither within an ass’s roar of Haydock. The obvious conclusion for some would be that it must be a good thing if Paul Nicholls and myself are teaming up at such inconvenience for one race, but don’t read too much into it. Clearly that conventional wisdom has shaved a bit of value off Fistral Beach in the Betfred Daffodil Vase Handicap Chase (3.30). That said, I give it a right chance today despite unseating me last time out at the second fence. This time, he drops back to two and a half miles from three and while it won going right-handed at Kempton before (whereas Haydock is left-handed), it’s a flat track that will suit him - as will the heavy ground.
I’m after a right Good Friday soaking at the Curragh, where I schooled a couple of horses for dad and Willie - including Cousin Vinny who’ll probably go in the first on Bank Holiday Monday at Fairyhouse.
Monday is usually our Sunday in terms of a ‘day off’ - if you’d call it that. There is no such thing as a hang-around-the-house day, but either way this Monday will be all about the Grand National meeting at Fairyhouse where I partner Equus Maximus in the big one.
He’s never been the distance before and I could have gone for Ballytrim or Pomme Tiepy in the National. In fact, the facts and form would indicate I should have gone with Ballytrim but I think it needs better ground than it’s going to get at Fairyhouse. Sometimes these things boil down to a hunch, nothing more. Equus Maximus pulled up in the Thyestes in January and disappointed in Naas a month ago. But he’s been working really well at home and remember, as a novice, beat Tranquil Sea over two and a half miles at Punchestown last year.
People will point to Ballytrim’s form - winning last time out in Naas and guaranteed to get the trip - and maybe afterwards I will regret that I went with the hunch and not the facts, but I’m happy with my choice.
It’s a big weekend in Fairyhouse, with a right good Gold Cup on the card tomorrow too. You can never be too sweet in Grade 1 company but I really like the attitude of my thing, Shakervilz - and not just for the cracking run last time out in the Grade 2 Novice Chase at Navan. He’s a really honest horse, tough with a good attitude and while this will be the first time at this distance, he’s well entitled to be there. Willie Mullins is pretty sweet on Shakervilz too, and based on his hurdling form, this trip will suit. But there has to be a health warning because this Powers Gold Cup is a seriously good race with stablemate Kempes, Jagoes Mills, Zaarito and Nicanor all looking dangerous. None of the horses are coming off Cheltenham either, so excuses will be thin on the ground.
In the second race on the card (Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Novice Hurdle) I’m aboard Blackstairmountain for Willie. The horse was travelling well at Cheltenham in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle but going down the hill to the second last, he just cut out very quickly. There’s nothing been unearthed since to explain that so I’ve got to presume he’ll get the two mile trip though Loosen My Load and Luska Lad will be the big threats.
Morning Supreme (Mares Novice Hurdle. 2.55) is unbeaten this season with three-for-three, but this time we step up to two and a half miles. This is a good mare, but a difficult ride at that. She’s very free, likes a gallop out in front and the old style hurdles at Fairyhouse will suit her. Whatever way to stack it up, she’s a good bet for tomorrow.
I finish my Sunday business on Some Target in the Novice Handicap Hurdle at 4.05, choosing him over For The Staff in this one in the hope that he won’t be as exposed to the handicapper. It’s a bit of a shot in the dark to be honest, but I think he’ll stay and he’ll love the ground. He was idling when winning at Clonmel in February and has to have a real shout here.
