Limestone to lead rivals a merry dance
James Bowe's charge is now rising eleven but, as yet, there is no hint he is in any way deteriorating. Certainly, the almost legendary gelding had a slice of luck on his side when scoring at Navan last time.
Limestone Lad was left clear when the challenging Ballyhampshire Boy fell at the final flight. He was far from beaten at the time and it was a good performance, considering Ballyhampshire Boy was in receipt of 13lbs and the trip, two miles, was well short of the selection's best.
It is difficult to enthuse about Ned Kelly, who will surely need the outing, but Scottish Memories and Colonel Braxton are both capable of running big races.
Colonel Braxton is reported to be well forward for his first start of the campaign, but the progressive Scottish Memories, impressive at Down Royal, may be a bigger threat.
Le Coudray gets the nap to take the Pierse Group Drinmore Novice Chase. He won in a canter at Naas a week ago and, though this is a far stiffer test, Christy Roche's gelding can come through with flying colours.
The Boylesports Royal Bond Novice Hurdle, a third Grade One on the programme, is tricky, but a little on Hardy Eustace might reap a dividend. There was plenty to like about the manner in which he trounced Beechcourt at Punchestown and is a hopeful choice, ahead of Mutakarrim and potentially the best horse in the race, Back In Front.
At Fairyhouse today row in with Noel Meade's once-raced Mark The Man in the Bumper. He made an excellent start when beaten a length and a half into second spot by the heavily backed market leader, Lost Time, at Navan.
The opening Betfair. Com Hurdle is easily the best juvenile event run so far his season. Dashing Home was impressive when overcoming difficulties in running to score easily at Down Royal, but preference is for Mirpour. A costly purchase out of the John Oxx yard, Mirpour failed to justify favouritism at Navan when going down by a length and a half to Newlands Gold.
He was at his most effective on the flat when fitted with blinkers and it looks significant that trainer, Eoin Griffin, now applies the aids.
At Cork tomorrow Christmas River, noted doing all her best work at the end when third to The Guy and Montechero on this track earlier in the month, can take the Cobh Mares Bumper.
Greywell, who showed improved form in bumpers last season, could be tossed into the Mitchelstown Handicap Hurdle.
