Captain Conflict ready to deliver

CAPTAIN CONFLICT, a horse who has shown more than a hint of temperament on a couple of occasions, can get off the mark over fences in the Comeragh Beginners Chase at Clonmel this afternoon.

Willie Mullins’ charge threw away a good opportunity at Navan last month, a contest for which he went off an odds-on favourite.

Victory went to 33-1 no-hoper Benalma, who made just about all the running. Captain Conflict came to take him at the final fence butjumped to his right and could never quite reel in Benalma on the flat, going down by a neck.

The form appeared rather moderate at the time, realistically it probably still is, but it’s at least worth noting that the fourth and fifth respectively, Casey Supreme and Dara Whyte, have won in the meantime.

Peplum, a useful enough hurdler, has yet to hit top gear over fences, but has scope for improvement and is rated the main danger.

Ruby Walsh partners Captain Conflict and he and Mullins can also land the Clonmel Mares’ Beginners Chase with Cru.

She is no great shakes, but should find this opposition to her liking. Cru was on terms with Here Comes Sally, the duo were clear, when both fell at the last in the contest won by Seepeeoh at Thurles three weeks ago.

Walsh teams up with Majestic Oak for Liam Cusack in the Powerstown Maiden Hurdle. Beaten into second by Barneys Honour at Fairyhouse, he has obvious prospects.

In a race, however, in which you would not want to place too much faith in any of the contestants, preference is for Dessie Hughes’ Rick, who shaped as if he might be suited by stepping up trip when third to Ashburton Lad and Archiestown over two miles at Navan.

Do The Bookies, who shaped with distinct promise on his debut at Down Royal, could provide the solution to the Bumper.