Lineman on track for Irish National bid
Jonjo O’Neill’s charge came from the clouds under an inspired ride from Tony McCoy to win the William Hill Trophy at Prestbury Park and could now bid to give owner JP McManus his third Irish Grand National success.
McManus’ racing manager Frank Berry said: “We’ll see what weight he gets and what the ground is like and everything and decide nearer the time. He’s in good form and has come out of Cheltenham very well. He’s not had a lot of racing experience but he keeps improving.”
Wichita Lineman is one of 19 possibles hailing from England, with 2007 winner and stablemate Butler’s Cabin also a contender.
He got the better of Ferdy Murphy’s Nine De Sivola by a length two years ago and the pair could lock horns again.
Noel Meade has entered Casey Jones, who flew home on the run-in when fifth behind Cooldine in the RSA Chase at the Cheltenham Festival, as well as Parsons Pistol and Toofarback.
Meade said: “Casey Jones is OK and fine after Cheltenham, where he found the ground a bit tacky.
“He is a good ground horse and the distance of the Irish Grand National and good ground would be ideal.
“Parsons Pistol fell at the third last in the National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham. He probably wouldn’t have won, but he might have sneaked into the first four.
“The history of that race has been a good guide to the Irish Grand National and he is well and if everything goes well, then hopefully he’d have a good chance.
“Toofarback was held up for quite some time with a leg problem and he wants goodish ground. It was very bad ground last time at Naas and he would prefer good ground.”
The Powers Gold Cup on April 12 has received 23 entries which include Meade’s Aran Concerto and stablemate Nicanor.
Aran Concerto could line up for the Grade One heat if he gives a good account of himself in the Kilberry Novice Chase at Navan on Saturday, while Nicanor is also in the equation.
Meade added: “I’m not sure if Nicanor will run and I took him out of Cork recently because I felt that the ground was too quick.
“If he’s to go for a novice chase it will be something like the Powers Gold Cup because I don’t want to win an ordinary novice chase, I would like a good one and then we’ll take it from there.”
The €90,000 Ladbrokes.com Handicap Hurdle takes pride of place on Tuesday April 14, and this highly-competitive two-mile race has attracted 47 entries.
The McManus-owned Stradbrook found only American Trilogy too good in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham, while Meade’s Kandari, who is also owned by McManus, was fifth in the County.
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