Phantasos can get off the mark
The son of Kris has shown enough in two runs to indicate that a moderate contest such as this is well within his capabilities.
He made his debut at the Galway Festival in early August, finishing third behind Aidan O’Brien’s Wolfe Tone.
Phantasos reappeared 11 days later, at Gowran Park, and was again third, a short head and three parts of a length adrift of Capabel and subsequent winner, Anchor.
Back in fifth and seventh places respectively were Alexander Duchess and Cocorica and they too have scored in the meantime.
The 1560111111 Raceline Hurdle has the makings of a decent contest and revolves very much round the fitness of Dessie Hughes’ Central House.
He was a decent novice last season who was, encouragingly, at his best in the opening half of the campaign. Indeed, he was successful in his first three races, taking a bumper at Punchestown and two contests over flights, at Clonmel and Cork.
Central House is the choice with Friends Amigo, whose fitness is guaranteed, following a spin on the level at Listowel, the alternative.
John Oxx’s once-raced Haratila gets the nod to take the Irish Stallion Farms Breeders Fund Maiden.
She was the stable second string when making her debut at the Curragh last month. The daughter of Marju certainly performed with promise, finishing four lengths runner-up behind Aidan O’Brien’s Yeats, who is already at the head of the Epsom Derby market.
Christy Roche’s Which Half should relish the two miles and two of the Bumper. Staying looked to be his game at Leoaprdstown last Christmas, when third to Govamix over two miles.
