Longer trip in Newmill’s favour
Successful three times already this season, the selection again performed soldily in defeat at Leopardstown 13 days ago. He contested the Grade One Deloitte Novice Hurdle, finding Cheltenham aspirant, Brave Inca, three parts of a length too good.
Newmill rallied well in the closing stages, indicating that stepping up another two furlongs now can only be in his favour.
Native Upmanship, with 11lbs in hand of main rival, Native Scout, cannot be opposed in the Paddy and Helen Cox Memorial Newlands Chase. He has a tremendous record over many honourable campaigns and gave every indication of being as good as ever when landing a third Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles last time.
Boneyarrow, despite worries about him travelling left-handed, gets the nod in the Anglo Irish Bank Nas Na Riogh Novice Chase. The bottom line with Willie Mullins’ gelding is that he has never won heading in this direction. But there’s a first time for everything, one supposes, and his class and Ruby Walsh’s skill may see him through.
On his latest appearnace, at Leopardstown, Boneyarrow never appeared particularly happy, but still performed with credit to finish fourth behind Pizzarro in the Dr P J Moriarty Novice Chase.
At Fairyhouse today, the frustrating Jack High gets the vote to finally put it all together and take the Irish Stallion Farms’ Beginners Chase. He is essentially a good jumper, who has failed to complete in two of his three races over fences. Ted Walsh’s charge looked to be full of running when parting company with Garret Cotter four out in the contest won by Where Now at Punchestown last time.
Another Walsh inmate who is proving costly to follow, Top Strategy, could be worth another chance in the Tattersalls Derby Sales Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle.
Some major wagers went astray on him at Leopardstown, where he could only finish fourth behind Power Elite.
There was four and a half lengths between them, but Top Strategy can be fancied to reverse placings on 9lbs more favourable terms, claims included.
Castle Weir gets the nod to provide the solution to the John McCarthy Memorial Hunters Chase. He meets General Montcalm on 5lbs better terms for a beating of three lengths at Thurles and has since stepped up on that effort to take third to Never Compromise and Spot Thedifference at Leopardstown.
New Field, third to Supreme Leisure and subsequent easy Down Royal winner, Mr McAuley, at Leopardstown, is the one to beat in the Bumper.
