Casey to partner Strangely Brown in Cashmans Hurdle

Pat Keane

Strangely Brown is unbeaten in two races over flights, at Limerick and Punchestown, and was partnered then by 7lbs claimer, Brian Byrnes.

Explaining his decision to replace Byrnes with Casey, trainer, Eric McNamara, said: “This is no reflection on Brian, who has done everything right on the horse.

“He will ride Strangely Brown plenty of times in the future, but on this occasion I felt it was right to go for a more experienced jockey.”

Justified, brilliant winner at Punchestown last Sunday, will head straight to Cheltenham for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, according to trainer, Dusty Sheehy. “He’s in great order”, said Sheehy, who expressed no fears about the possibility of the surface coming up on the quick side for his charge. “Whatever beats him at Cheltenham, it won’t be the ground”, he said emphatically.