Terminal can overcome inexperience to land Plate
But this is some competitive renewal and luck in running and getting into a nice rhythm are going to be important factors.
You can argue that Terminal lacks experience, but I don’t see that as a big deal. After all, Willie trained Themoonandsixpence to finish second in the race and he arrived with only two outings over fences under his belt.
My confidence in Terminal would increase should the rain come. We know he handles it, in contrast to plenty of others in the field, and that has to be regarded as a major plus.
Mind you the reason Willie has aimed the horse at this massive prize is the fact his pedigree tells us he will be even better on better ground, so I’m not too worried what the weather does.
Anyway, Terminal is in very good form, working well and the least we are expecting is a big run.
Bobowen travels from England, after bolting in at Market Rasen last time. It is possible he is improving fast, but that race did take place just eleven days ago.
Dermot Weld relies on Majestic Concorde and it goes without saying the ten-year-old is entitled to the utmost respect.
He hasn’t jumped an obstacle in public for 735 days, but Dermot will have him spot on, having had a couple of spins on the flat of late.
The other thing I can tell you is that I have ridden Majestic Concorde in work of late. He is absolutely flying and, if I weren’t committed to Willie, would have gone with him.
If Buckers Bridge produces his best novice form, he will have a real life. He had a grueller, in terrible ground, one day with Sword Of Destiny at Punchestown and I’ve a feeling that may have left its mark.
Buckers Bridge has had a decent break now and Henry de Bromhead might have nursed him right back to his best.
Along with Terminal, Willie also runs Laganbank and Lambro. I won on Laganbank at Tipperary, but discarded him here on the basis he won’t stay.
Lambro will love the trip, but has lost his way somewhat, especially in the jumping department, and that’s why I haven’t gone with him.
I don’t see Fosters Cross staying, while it is most interesting that Tony McCoy sides with first reserve, Carlingford Lough, in preference to others.
You’d imagine Carlingford Lough will get in, but has been a trifle disappointing, although trained by a wizard in John Kiely.
If I were A.P, I’d have wanted to be with Jacksonslady, who ran a cracker for a long way, on an unfavourable surface, in the Irish National at Fairyhouse.
Right, it’s time to get off the fence. If the ground remains good, my two against the field are Majestic Concorde and Jacksonslady.
Realistically, every drop of rain that arrives will increase the prospects of Terminal.
My day begins on Blackmail for Tony Martin in a maiden hurdle. On all known form, there is every reason to think he will go off favourite.
Blackmail warmed up for this with a nice run on the flat at Bellewstown and was a good bumper horse.
I schooled him at Tony’s last week and there wasn’t much to fault in his technique. Of course it’s his first time over flights and that’s always a concern, but is surely the one they all have to beat.
I ride Lady Of Glencoe for Dessie Hughes in a handicap hurdle. I won a maiden on her at Punchestown and felt she wanted two and a half miles, so let’s hope I’m proved right.
She then ran solidly in a novice at Wexford and her latest outing was on the flat. Lady Of Glencoe doesn’t seem badly treated and should have a decent each-way shout.
I’m back with Tony Martin for another handicap hurdle, this time on Victrix Gale. The bare form of her seventh over fences at Uttoxeter last time doesn’t read well, but she made a bad mistake at the first and had no chance after that. I’ll need luck to be with me, because I’ll be attempting to come from behind.
I must give a mention to Willie’s Union Dues in a mile and a half maiden. He’s going nicely at home and isn’t short of pace.
I’m not sure what I’ll ride in tomorrow’s Galway Hurdle. Willie may have as many as seven runners, three of them for Gigginstown and one for Alan Potts.
We will see how the riding arrangements are panning out and I will be waiting until the last minute before making a decision.
I was in Willie’s yesterday morning and the big winter horses are starting to return, slowly but surely.
I’d say, by the end of next week, the Willie Mullins yard will be one busy location.
