Longer trip should not trouble Ballyagran at Naas
The former winning pointer and bumper horse created a favourable impression when making a successful debut over flights at Cork 13 days ago.
Despite some indifferent leaps, he scored with plenty in hand from Carthalawn, giving the impression this stiffer track and stepping up three furlongs in trip would be in his favour.
Carthalawn’s stable companion, Powerstation, looks the easily the biggest worry. I have little doubt he is a better horse than Carthalawn and, on that basis, is obviously entitled to plenty respect.
Powerstation caught a real tartar when running into Mossbank at Limerick last time. Michael Hourigan has a huge opinion of Mossbank, but it remains to be seen just how a good a contest that really was!
Dun Doire, despite two miles being very much on the short side, holds outstanding claims in the Wetherbys’ Ireland GSB Handicap ’Chase.
He more than paid his way over hurdles, scoring twice, including landing a big gamble at Navan back in February.
It is no surprise his attentions are now turned to fences, considering Tony Martin’s charge is able to race 18lbs below his mark over hurdles.
At Galway tomorrow in-form Dusty Sheehy could land a double with the frustrating Kahuna and Dillons Dilemma.
The front-running Kahuna doesn’t find much at the end of his races, but is still fancied to land the Tote Exacta Ballybrit Novice ’Chase.
Very disappointing overall last season, he made a promising enough return when three and a half lengths runner-up behind Master Ofthe Chase at Roscommon earlier in the month.
Arteea and Calorando are two dangerous opponents, but both have only run once over fences and Kahuna, with a wealth of experience, might have the measure of them on this tricky track.
Dillons Dilemma is the most exciting three-year-old to be launched over flights so far this season and can take the Bradley Motor Works Ltd Maiden Hurdle.
He hasn’t been seen since finding the fast ground at York completely unsuitable when last of ten in Royal Ascot’s Queen Alexandra Stakes in June.
His two earlier efforts on the level, however, bear the closest inspection. He won his maiden by 20 lengths on heavy ground at Gowran Park and then chased home Irish Derby third, Shalapour, back at Gowran.
Wexford today was abandoned yesterday, course unraceable, and the stewards will look at 3pm today to see if tomorrow’s meeting can go ahead.
If the green light is given then, perhaps, Yarra Maguire, who scored in a canter at Kilbeggan in May, will win the INH Stallion Owners’ Novice Hurdle.
