Call It Magic looks best hope of weekend success
He has come up short in his four runs to date over hurdles, but was placed behind some decent sorts in those outings.
He would prefer better ground, but there’s nothing we can do about that.
He’s taking a significant drop in trip, to two miles, but it was at this distance he went closest to winning when just touched off by another of ours, Royal Caviar, at Thurles in November.
This doesn’t look the strongest of races, and perhaps Gordon Elliott’s newcomer, Hard To Call, is the most interesting of the opposition, but I’m very hopeful Haymount can make the breakthrough.
Willie runs Marasonnien in the Tetratema Cup and I must admit my handle on hunter chase form is very basic. I know Over The Fringe is the best, and after that I struggle a bit.
But I know Marasonnien well, having ridden him in an Irish Grand National.
I actually fancied him to win that day, but he was very disappointing, and had to be pulled up.
He struggled in his first point to point, but stepped up nicely to be second to Luska Lad in the second of them. He seems to be in good order at home but, while he was a Grade One winner over hurdles, he remains a dead maiden over fences, and that must be something of a concern for his backers.
I’ll be considerably busier at Naas tomorrow, where the first of my four rides is on Royal Caviar in the listed Novice Hurdle over two miles.
He is rated 131, Attribution is 135 and Burgas has been given a mark of 125 by the British handicapper, which suggests he has something to find.
However, Bryan Cooper, who had the choice between Attribution and Burgas, prefers the latter, which might be a pointer for punters.
Royal Caviar won his maiden at Thurles, and finished second behind Ball D’Arc next time.
The latter form looks very solid now, and he must have a good chance, but this is a very competitive race, and Gurteen, who finished behind Min on his first start over hurdles, also has solid claims.
I’m hoping I win but I’ll also be looking for a good run from Gurteen to frank the Min form.
In the Grade Three Novice Chase I’m on Tell Us More, who looked like he was going to win the Flyingbolt Chase at Navan until tipping up at the second-last.
Prior to that he won at Gowran, but is clearly much better going this way around, and I don’t think the step up in trip will be any problem to him. He’s in good order at home and let’s just say I’m not disappointed Bryan Cooper chose Rule The World ahead of him.
The two-three handicap hurdle looks very competitive, and I’m on Bamako Moriviere.
He was third behind another of ours, Dicosimo, on his first start for Willie, but was very disappointing on his next start, in the Coral Hurdle. He was entered in all the races at Cheltenham but the British handicapper didn’t give him a mark.
That last run was so bad, it’s hard to get a handle on him, but the trip should suit. However, he will be better when the ground dries out.
The last of my four rides at Naas is on Call It Magic, in the three-mile maiden hurdle, and he looks my best chance of the weekend.
He ran very well at Naas last time, when he found only the progressive Fairly Legal too good.
Prior to that he finished third behind Acapella Bourgeois at Leopardstown, and that form has since been boosted by the winner.
The step up in trip should bring out the best in him, he’s a horse I like, and should be well capable of winning a maiden hurdle.
He will make a fine chaser next season.
Willie runs Good Thyne Tara in the bumper and, with Patrick suspended, Edouard Monfort is in the saddle.
He has been with the yard for a few months, but is due to go back to France after Cheltenham and so Willie was keen to give him an opportunity.
The mare is in good form at home, working very well, and Edouard takes off a handy 7lbs. She’ll give him a very good spin.
In National Hunt racing the few weeks before the Cheltenham Festival really are silly season.
With all the stories you hear, especially about horses from the Willie Mullins stable, I often wonder am I working in the same yard all these rumours are coming out of.
You hear that this horse is flying, and this one is working terribly, or this horse is definitely going for this race and the other one won’t run in that race.
Anyone who knows how Willie Mullins works will know that no major decisions have been made yet, and Willie will leave them as late as possible.
We’ve been a little unfortunate this year with the three high-profile horses (Faugheen, Arctic Fire and Killultagh Vic) set to miss the Festival, and Kalkir has also been ruled out.
But, thankfully all the other horses are in good form, and preparations have been going very well.
Call It Magic 4:10 Naas, Sunday
Royal Caviar 2:10 Naas, Sunday, Good Thyne Tara 5:10 Naas, Sunday
