Ballycasey poised to rebound from Thyestes Chase disappointment

I could have gone to Newbury this afternoon, but choosing which horse to ride would have been difficult so I decided to stay at home for what I hope could be easier pickings at Gowran Park.

I’m on Ballycasey in the Red Mills Chase, and he has a great chance. He ran well for a long way in the Thyestes Chase and I don’t know whether it was the lack of a run or the trip which caught him out, but he faded tamely. Back to today’s conditions, over which he is a course and distance winner, I think he’ll go very close.

He and Morning Assembly were similarly rated as novices but Pat Fahy’s horse is having his second run back after an absence and the ‘bounce factor’ is a concern, while two and a half miles could be plenty far enough for Smashing. Glenwood For Ever has to make a huge step up, so it all points to Ballycasey having a great chance.