Golden Cross can boost Triumph prospects
Following an impressive debut over jumps on this track, the selection performed poorly at Leopardstown at Christmas when reportedly swallowing a lump of earth.
It was a case of the show being very much back on the road at Leopardstown last time, however, when Golden Cross ran the race of his young life, going down by a head to the smart Mutineer.
That was the best four-year-old hurdle run so far this season and, with Charlie Swan’s mount sure to be all the better for the outing, he should take plenty of beating.
Rince Ri has a minimum of 11 lbs in hand of all his rivals in the Bobbyjo Chase and only has to run close to his best to take this.
He showed he’s far from a back number when a creditable fourth behind Beef Or Salmon in the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown and a repeat of that sort of effort will certainly be good enough.
Shackleton and The Wipper promise a fascinating tussle in the John McCarthy Memorial Hunters Chase. The Wipper made all to bolt in at Thurles and will take catching.
But preference is for Shackleton, who looked to be rapidly on the upgrade when cruising to a 12 lengths victory at Clonmel.
Willie Mullins’ Davenport Democrat gets the nap to land the Bumper. Mullins has a high opinion of the five-year-old and his inexplicably poor effort first time out at Leopardstown left the trainer totally puzzled.
The INH Stallion Owners’ Novice Hurdle Series Final is a tough contest to solve, but a little on Poker Pal shouldn’t go too far astray.
He looked all over a winner at Punchestown, but was grabbed in the dying strides and beaten a head by Keepatem. Going up 5lbs for that is hardly a help, but he does still appear handily weighted!
Central House, Hi Cloy and Mossy Green are three against the field in tomorrow’s Woodlands Park 100 Johnstown Novice Hurdle at Naas and the first named is napped to do the business.
A tough, consistent sort, he has done all his racing so far over two miles, but may well step up on previous form now that he goes over another four furlongs.
Another tough sort, Mitchelstown, is the choice to take the winners’ Bumper. He made most when scoring at Gowran Park a week ago and is preferred to easy Limerick winner, Hit The Net.
The Paddy and Helen Cox Memorial Newlands Cross Chase is a tricky, but Edward O’Grady’s Go Roger Go looks the one to be on.
He returned from a long break to finish third behind Moscow Flyer at Leopardstown and emphasised his current well-being when runner-up to Colonel Braxton at Fairyhouse.
