Nicanor set to take step up in class in his stride
A top class bumper horse, Noel Meade’s imposing four-year-old made a smooth transition to jumps on this track earlier in the month. He travelled supremely well through the contest and already had the look of a winner when left clear by the final flight fall of Skeheenarinky.
In the context of the opposition now that was a moderate event, but Nicanor is very highly regarded and has a good chance of making the step up.
Hear The Echo, impressive at Down Royal, and Vic Venturi, who looked a tough sort when winning at Galway, have to be respected, but Travino and Powerstation are probably bigger worries!
Triple bumper winner Travino lacked fluency on his first pop over jumps when beaten by Forty Licks at Naas, while Powerstation ran the race of his young life behind Black Jack Ketchum at Cheltenham.
Publican rates a sound wager to land the Leinster Petroleum Beginners Chase. He made a satisfactory start when third to Wild Passion and subsequent winner, Kill Devil Hill, at Punchestown and faces nothing of that calibre.
Pearly Jack, given a spin over hurdles at Cork last weekend, might provide the answer to a wide-open looking William Hill In Ireland Troytown Handicap Chase. He’s hit the bar more than once and, perhaps, this is his time.
Noel Meade’s Celtic Sammy is the one to beat in the Navan Shopping Centre Bumper. He hasn’t been seen since proving a costly failure at Leopardstown last Christmas, but that came when the trainer’s horses were under a cloud.
His previous two lengths second to Albert Mooney at Fairyhouse, with Publican six lengths away in third, was a smart effort.
At Gowran Park this afternoon Tom Taaffe’s Finger Onthe Pulse can get punters away to the ideal start in the Golf Winter Special Maiden Hurdle. He ran a race rich in promise at Naas two weeks ago when three lengths runner-up to Iktitaf and won’t have to improve a lot on that effort to go close.
Corrigeenroe, a big disappointment when 20 lengths second to Oscar’s Advance at Punchestown, is worth another chance in the Golf Membership Maiden Hurdle.
He was meeting a decent opponent then and dropping down four furlongs in trip should work in his favour.
Akinola is worth a little interest in the Irish Racing Yearbook Handicap Hurdle. He could be tossed into this, having shown plenty of improvement on the flat of late.
At Wexford tomorrow Homer Wells, likely to come on a bundle for his second to Far From Trouble at Thurles, can take the C J O’Loughlin and Sons Beginners Chase.
