Chaos to take control
Two miles is his ideal distance and he did well to score over 12 furlongs at Naas last time. The selection, as he often does, went straight into the lead and galloped his rivals silly to score by three lengths.
Previously, over two miles, Amid The Chaos picked it up with six furlongs to run and boxed on in fine style in the closing stages to hold Dr Julian by a neck.
Christy Roche’s very highly-rated mare, Charyan, looks the biggest danger.
She looked a star of the future when taking a bumper at Tipperary, coming from well off the pace, and did nothing wrong next time when scoring with a bit in hand at Down Royal.
But the horse she beat at Down Royal, Naples, was a big disappointment at Bellewstown on Wednesday night and Amid The Chaos is fancied to carry too many guns for her.
The other interesting contest on the programme is the Braddish Builders’ Novice Hurdle, which brings together five previous winners.
High Priestess, in cracking form on the flat of late, is best favoured at the weights, but isn’t very reliable at this game and is passed over.
Preference is for Noel Meade’s King Of Foxrock, the mount of Ruby Walsh. He recovered from a dreadful mistake three out to take a moderate event at Navan and appears to be on the upgrade.
Feature event at Leopardstown tonight is the Group Three Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Brownstown Stakes. The vote falls on Dermot Weld’s Alexander Icequeen.
Considering that six furlongs was on the short side, Alexander Icequeen ran really well when half a length second to Barry Hills’ La Cucaracha in another Group Three, the Ballyogan Stakes, on this track last month.
Weld can also supply the solution to the Star Sunday Handicap with Zeroberto, so unlucky at the Curragh last Sunday.
He got no run in the straight, when beaten a neck by Anxious Moments.
Going up 4lbs and dropping down half a mile in trip are hardly a help, but it looks a weak enough race and the five-year-old gets the nod.
Anno Jubilo, now that he is reunited with Michael Kinane, should go close in the At The Races Committed To Irish Racing Handicap.
Charlie Swan’s charge performed solidly at the Curragh, close seventh behind Visit Wexford, and Kinane was in the plate the last time he won, at Navan.
