Back Nine set to get off the mark over flights
The progressive Back Nine is nap material in the 28-runner Lime Hill Maiden Hurdle. He had a pop over flights at Navan in November, behind Plenty Of Ice, as a prelude to winning a bumper at Navan three weeks ago.
Tony Martin’s Rosenca was a strong order in the market for that contest but proved no match for the selection in the closing stages, going down by two lengths.
This race has a lot more to do with quantity, rather than quality, and Back Nine should be difficult to beat!
Native Jack, who has never quite delivered on earlier promise, has the best credentials for the Grangebeg Beginners Chase. He made his debut over fences on this track at the end of last year when trounced to the tune of 15 lengths by Adamant Approach.
The nine-year-old was then fancied to score over flights at Leopardstown, but was again a bit disappointing, finishing a flattering lengths and a half adrift of Hi Cloy. Native Jack is now dropped in class and should find these rivals more to his liking.
Louisville is a fascinating runner in the opening Red Bog Hurdle. Formerly trained by Aidan O’Brien, he is now in the care of Noel Meade.
The son of Grand Lodge ran only twice on the level, taking a Curragh maiden and then finishing a tailed-off ninth of 12 behind exalted stable companions High Chaparral and Hawk Wing in the Epsom Derby.
His travels in the market will be worth noting but from this range Kenilworth, beaten a neck by the smart Mutineer at Fairyhouse, is the safer proposition.
Moscow Flyer should enjoy little more than a good school in the Byrne Group Tied Cottage Chase at Punchestown tomorrow.
He produced a brilliant display to land the Arkle at Cheltenham in March and has to be fancied to head back to the Cotstwolds with an easy victory here under his belt.
The Byrne Group Novice Hurdle is the best event of the afternoon. Kicking King and Central House look the two to concentrate on.
Both have proved no match for the flying mare Solerina, but are smart horses in their own right.
Prior to going under to Solerina at Leopardstown, Central House won three in-a-row in fine style.
Kicking King, though, gets preference. Beaten eight lengths by Solerina at Navan, he dismissed weak opposition with the minimum of fuss at Cork last time.
Takagi, who went down to Be My Belle in the Thyestes at Gowran Park, will strip fitter now and might be capable of defying top weight in the Grand National Trial Handicap Chase.
