General to take charge
Following a disappointing effort at Fairyhouse, Edward O’Grady’s charge was back to his best at Punchestown last week.
Jumping brilliantly, the six-year-old made a brave attempt from the front. He was still holding the call, although starting to tire, when parting company with his rider at the final fence, leaving Just Cassandra to beat Ace Of Spades.
The smart Arctic Times went off a shorter price than the selection in that contest, but was brought down at the eleventh. He has to be on the short-list, along with Take Aim, who looked very much at home over the banks when scoring easily at Punchestown.
Tony Martin’s Kniaz gets the nod in the Quality Hotel Wexford Hurdle, having hinted at a return to form at Punchestown.
He has a bit to find at the weights with Columba and Oodachee, but there was plenty to like about the manner in which he humped 12-0 to finish fourth to Willie The Shoe in a handicap.
Lady Toulon is fancied to go close, under top weight, in the Quality Hotel Wexford Handicap over two miles.
Considering the soft ground was hardly in her favour, she ran well at Limerick last time to finish second to Three Mirrors.
A repeat of her cracking effort at last year’s Punchestown Festival, fourth to Royal Rosa and Royal Alphabet, on a quick surface in a winners’ bumper, would see her with a big chance.
