Pizarro can get back to winning ways
Edward O’Grady’s charge is on a retrieving mission, having proved a big disappointment when a beaten odds-on favourite at Navan in the middle of December.
That came at a time, however, when O’Grady’s horses were badly out of sorts. The shrewd handler, wisely, gave them plenty time to recover and they have come back better than ever.
The Navan contest saw the selection trail in a poor third, beaten eight lengths and 25 lengths, behind Solerina and Kicking Kick.
That effort should be completely ignored and the triple bumper winner is best judged on his debut success over flights at Navan when he gave Solerina 5lbs and a two lengths beating in November.
It was 20 lengths back to the third and the effort is put in context when you consider it is the only occasion the brilliant Solerina has met defeat in eight outings over hurdles.
Ruby Walsh teams up with Banusal for Michael O’Brien, in the Down Royal Maiden Hurdle, and the mare gets the nap to make a winning start over jumps.
She has been rested since running easily her best race to date when going down by half a length to Monte Grande at Gowran Park in December.
Banusal has made the running several times in bumpers, but it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise in the world if Walsh gave her a chance on this occasion!
The Walsh-O’Brien combination might also provide the answer to the Beginners ’Chase with Kadoun.
Not the most reliable horse around, he did appear to find two miles on the short side when fifth behind Turn Two at Naas on Saturday.
