Deutschland may be a shade high in the weights
The more rain that falls the better and I have no doubts at all regarding his ability to stay three miles.
He ran in the Galway Plate, but crashed into the first fence and should really have hit the deck. Deutschland could never got in a real blow after that.
He has, however, since run a cracker on the flat at Killarney and that was most encouraging.
The seven-year-old is working well right now and the fitting of cheekpieces will be a help. He has an each-way shout, but I just worry that 11-4 may be a shade too much weight.
Mossbank has been dropped substantially in the weights and is a class horse. But it is a big ask to be able to come back and win this following a break of 875 days.
I won on Northern Alliance a year ago and he ran a blinder to finish fifth in the Galway Plate.
The problem, of course, is that he now has to hump 11-7 and that is going to more than test him.
Archie Boy won’t stay, while Finger Onthe Pulse got an inspired drive from Tony McCoy to win the Galway Plate.
I don’t feel that was a true run race and expect the rise in weights to stop Tom Taaffe’s horse.
The fact that he is now discarded by McCoy, in favour of Dancing Tornado, is an obvious minus also.
Dancing Tornado had to miss the Plate, but showed his well-being with a decent effort over hurdles at Killarney.
Charles Byrnes has done an excellent job with Alfa Beat, but he went up a further 17lbs for winning last time and this is a big rise in class.
Ponmeoath has a great chance, having shown his liking for Listowel by actually winning this race twice before.
He was a big eye-catcher over hurdles at Galway and has a nice weight on his back and an excellent pilot in Paul Townend.
Footy Facts might have a squeak down near the bottom. He’s a small horse and 10-5 will be ideal.
I’m hoping for the best with Deutschland, but believe Ponmeoath is the horse we all have to beat.
I’m on One Cool Tornado for Paul Gilligan in a novice hurdle and that’s because Andrew Lynch partners Queiros Bleu for Henry de Bromhead.
I couldn’t even tell you what colour my horse is, but if he finishes in front of Our Gar will surely win.
I saw Our Gar working on the Curragh the other day and was more than impressed.
I ride Avanti Albert for Tony Martin in the maiden hurdle and, in theory, he shouldn’t be good enough with a rating of 97.
One of his main rivals, for instance, Riverstown, has a mark of 109. I’m of the opinion, though, that Avanti Albert is improving and has a real life.
I rode him on the Old Vic gallop on the Curragh recently and was more than happy. It was on the dead side that day, so the ground now should not be a worry.
I finish on Another Ambiton for Tony in a handicap chase and would especially like to win this contest.
The reason is simple. A year ago I gave Keelaghan as bad a ride as I have ever given a horse in this particular race and would love to make it up to Tony.
I think Another Ambition has a great chance, having bolted in for me over hurdles at Galway.
Willie Mullins’ Red Tiger will go close in the bumper, even if he did get beaten in what seemed to be a modest enough heat at Killarney. To my eyes, he has shown plenty of improvement in his homework of late.
I was at Paul Nicholls’ last week and saw all of the horses. I will be making my first trip across the Irish Sea on October 9, to Chepstow.
Prior to that Willie is hoping to have a few horses ready for Tipperary on October 3. Talk to you all again very soon.
