Route looks the safe choice
The selection is on the upgrade and her front-running tactics should have the majority of this opposition in trouble a fair way from home.
Safe Route got off the mark over flights at Punchestown earlier in the month when making every yard of the running to beat Kahrena a cosy two lengths.
The form has been working out well with Camargue (fifth) and Ticker (ninth) going on to score in the meantime.
The five-year-old’s latest effort came on this track a week ago when, predictably, she was outclassed behind Back In Front, over two and a half miles.
Safe Route tried to make all, but had no answer when Back In Front, current market leader for Cheltenham’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, cruised past heading to the second last.
Indeed, she was run out of the runner-up spot as well, going down by 14 lengths and a length and a half behind the winner and Hidden Genius.
In the context of this test, however, it was a decent effort and dropping back to the minimum trip again is very much in Safe Route’s favour.
Liam O’Brien’s Heronstown can provide the solution to a moderate looking Greenmount Maiden Hurdle.
Following a less than auspicious debut at Exeter, Heronstown was seen in a far better light at Tramore subsequently.
He finished three lengths second to Hidden Genius and the fact the third was a further 25 lengths behind is obviously encouraging.
Kymandjen, unbeaten in two outings over two miles, may be capable of completing a hat-trick in the three mile Croom Hurdle.
He took a bumper at Tramore and followed by making practically all to give 13lbs and a length and a half beating to Polly Native at Thurles.
His ability to get this trip has to be taken on trust, but he may well be even more effective at the distance!
