Un De Sceaux can complete perfect season
Ruby Walsh admitted to being just a passenger as the nine-year-old pulled his way to the front and then posted a scintillating effort in the Ryanair Chase at Cheltenham and, while a repeat is quite a big ask, he looked better than ever on that occasion, and will take catching.
Fox Norton made rapid late gains when just failing to catch Special Tiara in the Champion Chase, but gained compensation when winning at Aintree.
The latter performance, over two and a half miles, looked a career-best, suggesting the return to two miles is not necessarily the best way to go with him.
It’s also a concern that he has been quite busy this term, having run five times (four since moving from Neil Mulholland to Colin Tizzard).
A third festival trip is a big ask, but the Tizzard stable has hit form in recent weeks, and he is the one most likely to benefit should Un De Sceaux fail to fire.
Despite his obvious talent, it remains difficult to recommend backing Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Labaik to take the Grade 1 Champion Novice Hurdle and, thus, Melon must be the choice.
In early betting, Melon is favourite to reverse the form, but those prices are reflective of the fact bookmakers are wary Labaik may not jump off, in which case they do not want to lay Melon at the price he should be with Labaik in the race.
Labaik refused to race twice and all but completed that ignominious hat-trick when a distant sixth at Naas on his final start before Cheltenham.
Much was made of the long whip which is used at the start in British races, and perhaps that did help, but the horse’s demeanour was much more positive there and it’s hard to say how much effect it had.
Regardless, he is a risky proposition and, as they were at Cheltenham, the in-running players will be ready to smash into him the moment he jumps off, should he condescend to do so.
However, Melon was conceding considerable experience in the Supreme, and ran a superb race to finish second, clear of the remainder. He is a horse of immense potential, and can sign off his novice season with a second success.
Roconga can take the Killashee Handicap Hurdle for Edward O’Grady. Twice a winner over hurdles, he belied a mark of 90 when winning on the flat, 10 days ago at Cork, on his first run for almost six months.
That should have put him spot-on for his return to hurdling and, despite behind considerably higher than for his last run over hurdles, which he won readily, he remains open to improvement, and has his favoured conditions.
He is owned by JP McManus, whose other runner in the race, Western Boy, hasn’t been seen in competitive action since August, but rates an interesting challenger.
He was close up and still travelling well when short of room and stumbling out of contention at the second-last in this race, 12 months ago. He could be the surprise package in this race.
Enniskillen can make it fifth time lucky in the Fr Seán Breen Memorial, which opens the meeting.
Runner-up to the useful Wish Ye Didn’t in each of the last two runnings, he meets nothing of that calibre this time and holds many of those rivals on previous meetings in this race.
Last time out, he ran an encouraging race to finish third behind Foxrock and subsequent Fairyhouse winner Maple Mons.
With that run under his belt, he should be ready to secure an overdue victory here.
Treo Eile has been in good form in point to points, looks better than ever this season, and can give the selection most to think about.
NAP
Un De Sceaux 5:30 Punchestown
DOUBLE
Melon 4:20 Punchestown
Adreamstillalive 4:55 Punchestown
