Get off to New Year flier with Barrow Drive
He should strip fresh and well, having been given a break, following three tough assignments in the month of November.
The eight-year-old began his campaign with a trip to Haydock, where he finished third in the Charle Hall Chase behind shock winner, Ballybough Rasher.
He then found the ground much too quick when a disappointing third of four to Glenelly Gale in the James Nicholson at Down Royal.
For his third run of the season, Barrow Drive went back across the Irish Sea to tackle the Hennessy at Newbury.
He ran well for a long way, before fading in the straight to finish a remote sixth behind the impressive Strong Flow.
The selection will find this a lot easier and two miles and six, and cut in the ground, is just what he requires.
At the weights, Davids Lad is the proverbial certainty, having a minimum of 19lbs in hand of all of his rivals.
But he will be having his first outing since finishing third of three at Killarney in May and has never been at home on this sort of surface.
Charlie Swan’s He’s My Man is worth a final chance in the Wallace Chartered Accountants’ Maiden Hurdle.
You would have to say he was disappointing when only fifth to Pedina at Thurles last time, but gets the vote to reverse placings with Risk It Paddy, a length and a place ahead of him then, and to beat Irish Empire as well.
Star Storm, who has shown a liking for the delights of this track in the past, can win the Tom Carroll Memorial Handicap Chase.
Certainly, he gave promise of better to come, running on strongly at the end of two miles and a furlong, when two lengths second to Alphazar at Leopardstown.
At Fairyhouse Govamix, successful in a bumper and on the flat, is fancied to get off the mark over flights at the first time of asking in the opening maiden hurdle.
