Periwinkle the pick of a moderate contest

PERIWINKLE LAD, the medium of some less than complimentary remarks by his trainer in the past, gets the nap to defy top weight in the Pickardstown Handicap Hurdle at Tramore this afternoon.

Eric McNamara’s gelding has, however, got his act together of late and looks well capable of landing this moderate contest. He foiled a morning-price gamble on Arthur Daly at Thurles and then performed creditably when third to Yukon at Cork.

The selection’s latest effort, at Limerick four days ago, was another reasonable performance. Predictably, he was no match for the very well handicapped Tony Martin trained Bizet, finishing three and a half lengths second. Periwinkle Lad faced an impossible task, meeting that rival at levels, and the form was boosted when remote fifth Brave Eagle scored subsequently, also at Limerick.

Intercounty, the mount of capable amateur David Roche, can provide the answer to the Metal Man Novice Handicap Hurdle. The six-year-old has been showing a bit of improvement of late and a repeat of his close fourth to Miss Lauren Dee at Thurles last time should see him go close!

Winning ex-pointer, Ashstorm, sixth in a bumper to Monte Grande at Gowran Park earlier in the month, gets the nod to take a dreadful looking Beginners ’Chase.

Dessie Hughes’s horses are bombing and his Celestial Light, fifth behind Christy Roche’s well-regarded newcomer Adarma at Navan, gets the nod in the Bumper.

At Punchestown today, Willie Mullins’ Livingstonebramble can defy top weight in the Carnalway Novice Handicap ’Chase. His latest run, eighth behind Jurado Express at Thurles, can be ignored, because he could never get in a blow after blundering badly at the fifth. Previously, however, Ruby Walsh’s mount was runner-up to the in-form Dutsdale Dancer at Navan and that was a smart effort.

Paul Carberry is a significant booking for The Guy in the opening INH Stallion Owners’ Maiden Hurdle. This won’t take a lot of winning and The Guy’s chance is obvious, following his third in the bumper won by Stacumny Bridge at Fairyhouse.

Rheindross, who scored with plenty in hand at Leopardstown over Christmas, can shrug off a 6lbs penalty, and the steadier of 12-1, in the Kilcullen Handicap ’Chase.