Brogella set to run her rivals ragged
Frances Crowley’s charge is most consistent and her rugged, front-running, style is sure to ask plenty of questions of her rivals.
The five-year-old got off the mark over flights on this track last month, making all to beat Maryannthedancer unextended by six lengths.
It was a decent enough effort, but the selection is probably better than the bare form, having previously produced a smarter performance when seven lengths runner-up behind In Compliance at Punchestown.
Willie Mullins’ Joueur D’Estruval is the choice in the Maurice Dougan Hurdle, even though two miles does look on the short side.
Neverthless, he comes here in good shape, having defied the steadier of 11-13 to take a handicap at Thurles a week ago.
At Leopardsotwn tomorrow, should the meeting survive a 9.00 inspection this morning, Pat Fahy’s Macs Flamingo goes on a retrieving mission in the Ballsbridge Hurdle.
He proved hugely disappointing at Naas in January, trailing in 16 lengths third behind Tacitus, after pulling much too hard for his own good.
At Leopardstown at Christmas, Macs Flamingo looked a possible star of the future when slamming In Compliance by eight lengths.
If he settles on this occasion, the selection should have far too much class for moderate opposition.
It will take a more than useful newcomer to lower the colours of Vintage Gold in the first section of the Cheltenham Preview Day Bumper.
The son of Lear Fan scored by a decisive four lengths from Tiddle About at Punchestown and the second upheld the form when going down by a head to the well-regarded Noel Meade trained Nicanor at Thurles.
Slim Pickings, a creditable third behind Captain Sunshine and No Complications at Naas, has a leading chance in the Irish Stallion Farms’ Maiden Hurdle.
Doodle Addle, down in class following his third to Carrigeen Victor and Well Presented in the Grade One Moriarty Chase at Leopardstown, is the choice in the Irish Stallion Farms’ Novice Chase.
Navan today has a grim appearance and there is absolutely no cause for optimism. Liam Burke’s Lord Alphieross gets the nap in a rather competitive looking final of the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Novice Handicap Chase.
He went up a whopping 13lbs for winning an ordinary event by ten lengths at Gowran Park. But this ex-cracking pointer has lots of scope for improvement and three miles, a stiff track and testing conditions may be just what’s required!
