Make it Monty’s in Munster National
The presence of top weight, Foxchapel King, has ensured that only seven will face the starter and just the top three are in the handicap proper. Monty’s Pass produced the performance of his life at Listowel, jumping for fun and powering home two lengths clear of Putsometnby (rec. 27lbs).
Foxchapel King was quite brilliant in the early part of last season, winning three times in a row and starting his campaign with victory in this contest. He had Monty’s Pass five and a half lengths behind in third spot then, but the selection now re-opposes on 11lbs better terms.
Ansar, unbeaten in two outings over fences, can complete a hat trick in the Ladbroke Ireland Kilbegnet Novice Chase. Dermot Weld’s gelding only did what was required in beating Albatros, arguably his principal rival now, at Galway, but was much more impressive, despite a bad final fence blunder, at Tralee subsequently.
Nonchalant rates a good wager to take the Newenham Mulligan Novice Hurdle. He seemed very well suited to front running tactics at Roscommon on Monday when slamming hot pot Moore’s Law to the tune of three lengths.
At the Curragh tomorrow John Oxx’s Hanabad looks the proverbial good thing in the valuable Irish Breeders’ Foal Levy Stakes. He makes a quick reappearance, having finished a creditable fourth to Hold That Tiger in the Grand Criterium at Longchamp on Sunday, and that puts him in a different league to this opposition.
Aidan O’Brien is strongly represented in the Group Three Juddmonte Beresford Stakes and the fact Michael Kinane rides Brian Boru sways one in his direction. The son of Sadler’s Wells was no more than workmanlike on his debut, beating Evelyn One a neck at the Curragh at the end of June, but obviously has been giving the right vibes of late!
At Gowran Park this afternoon Ballyconnell has to be the choice in the Lord Bagenal Inn Stars Of Tomorrow Beginners Chase. He was the unluckiest loser of the year at Clonmel last month. Barry Geraghty’s mount had a three mile race in the bag when swerving towards the stands after the final fence, parting company with his pilot.
John Oxx’s once raced Relish is a hopeful nap choice to take the Listed Denny Cordell Lavarack Memorial Fillies stakes. She won her maiden in smooth style at the Curragh. A lot more is required now, of course, but she has lots of potential, while you would be hard pressed to find anything else in the field on the upgrade.
