Punters set to cash in on Dollars
Successful in a bumper on this track last March, Noel Meade’s progressive gelding made a belated, but impressive, start over flights at Navan 13 days ago.
Christy Roche’s Lost Time was preferred to the selection in the market, but Afistfullofdollars was much the stronger in the closing stages, beating his rival by four and a half lengths.
Simon, who performed way below par at Naas last time, but had some smart efforts to his credit previously, is rated the main danger.
Noel Meade and Paul Carberry are responsibe for Afistfullofdollars and they could also combine to land the opening Holy Cross Hurdle with Tous Les Tables.
The son of Alhaarth does have to leave a disappointing effort at Leoaprdstown at Christmas behind if he is to cope with Sound Blaster. Tous Les Tables pulled far too hard for most of that contest, eventually trailing in a well beaten fifth behind Sky’s The Limit. He is surely better judged on an easy seven lengths win at Clonmel prior to that.
You can argue Sound Blaster possesses the superior form, having beaten the smart Majlis cosily at Fairyhouse on December 11. It is a worry, however, that he hasn’t been seen in the meantime.
Tony Martin’s Dun Doire has to be fancied to defy top weight in the first division of the Archerstown Novice Handicap Hurdle.
He landed a sizeable gamble at Navan earlier in the month, only being asked to do the bare minimum to score by a totally unflattering half a length. The handicapper put him up 10lbs, which couldn’t be described as overly harsh.
At Downpatrick tomorrow, Pat Fahy’s Panaconi can get us away to a flier in the Martinstown Opportunity Maiden Hurdle. He hinted at ability when seven lengths runner-up to Doctor Linton, a winner again since, over two miles at Thurles.
Panaconi then took a dramatic rise in trip when seventh behind Theatre Lane in a valuable three miler at Fairyhouse. That was probably further than he cared to travel and this two and a quarter miles may prove ideal.
The consistent Ocras Mor is the choice in the Morning Star Belfast EBF Mares Novice Hurdle.
She was possibly attempting a stiff enough task when failing by three lengths to concede Malthouse Master 18lbs in a Navan handicap on her latest appearance.
Tell Me See, who came from an impossible position when chasing home What Odds in the Grand National Trial at Punchestown, can defy top weight in the Powers’ Ulster National Handicap Chase.
