Nopekan can make his mark
The selection, successful twice on the flat, made an encouraging debut over jumps at Leopardstown at Christmas.
Thrown in at the deep end in the Grade Two Denny Juvenile Hurdle, Nopekan ran a smashing race to finish thirteen and a half lengths fourth behind impressive winner, Top Strategy.
He did tire somewhat in the straight, but that was understandable, considering it was his first outing for over three months.
Mullins’ charge will surely come on plenty for both the outing and the experience and can make the most of the 7lbs he receives from Clonmel winner, Seaforde, who battled on bravely then to beat Quel Doun a length.
Ground Ball, if none the worse for a crashing fall at Tramore last Thursday, can take the Heineken Phil Sweeney Memorial ’Chase.
Charlie Swan’s gelding was going to finish a creditable second to Barrow Drive when tumbling out of the contest at the final fence.
Jurado Express, best when fresh and a winner twice over fences in the early part of last season’s campaign, is the obvious worry, although he would be 11lbs better off in a handicap.
Gerry Cully’s Sixtino has a leading chance of completing a hat-trick in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.
He landed a gamble on this track and then followed up with an easy victory in an uncompetitive event at Tramore. Sixtino has gone up 12lbs for those wins, but still looks the one they all have to beat this afternoon.
Only six are set to face the starter in the INH Stallion Farms’ EBF Novice Hurdle, but Criaire Princess, Roxelly, Nolans Pride and Its Echoes Sister are all possible winners. The hopeful vote falls on Criaire Princess, who looked an improved sort when making all to score by 25 lengths at Limerick last time.
