Nil Desperandum can make early mark again
Rathgar Beau and Cloudy Bays are the two highest rated candidates in the contest, but this could well be fought out by two second-season novices in Nil Desperandum and Kicking King!
Tom Taaffe’s Kicking King arguably holds the best credentials of any of the eight runers, having gone down by a length to Well Chief in the Arkle Trophy at Cheltenham in March.
The worry one harbours about him, however, is that the only bad race he ran last season was on his reappearance at Punchestown in November.
He went off a heavily-backed favourite that day, but trailed in a well beaten fifth behind Anxious Moments.
In contrast, Nil Desperandum was at his best in the early part of last season, making a winning debut over fences at Punchestown, before producing a stunning performance to take the Drinmore ’Chase at Fairyhouse in November by 14 lengths.
He then had his problems and was way below par when having two runs in the spring. In the hope that the real Nil Desperandum shows up this afternoon, he gets the vote.
Frances Crowley trains Nil Desperandum and her Riverboatman is nap material in the Kilford Arms three-year-old Hurdle.
He made an excellent start over jumps at Tipperary last month, easily beating the smart pair, Grangehill Dancer and Eye Candy.
Strike Back is the best horse in the Lord Bagenal Inn Beginners ’Chase. He has a real future at this game, but was essentially a stayer over hurdles and is best watched for now.
Rupununi is surely the one they all have to beat. Frank Ennis’ charge was galloping all over eventual winner, Dizzy’s Dream, when stumbling at the back of the final fence at Punchestown and paying the ultimate penalty.
