Piercing Sun to shine through
The five-year-old is clearly going the right way and his latest performance, at Leopardstown, was very encouraging.
For a horse who raced through the summer, he handled the testing conditions really well. The selection stayed on doggedly in the closing stages to beat Cane Break by a length.
The form is working out nicely. Cane Break went on to score in good style at Fairyhouse, while Old Flame, a remote fifth at Leopardstown, has since won at Navan.
Caimin’s Caper, who showed his liking for this track earlier in the month, is the danger.
Jim Dreaper’s charge also showed heavy ground holds no fears for him on that occasion, enjoying a clear-cut four and a half lengths defeat of He’s My Man.
Verrocchio, despite an absence of almost two months, is the one to beat in the Saltan Properties Maiden Hurdle.
Fitness is hardly a worry, however, with Willie Mullins’ horses currently in tip-top shape.
Verrocchio was last seen in early December, failing to justify odds-on favouritism at Thurles when finishing a close third behind Eimear’s Pride and Golden Triangle.
That was a moderate effort, but Ruby Walsh’s mount is probably better judged on his third to Berkely Note in a hotter contest at Punchestown previously.
Greywell, a useful handicap hurdler, has been largely disappointing over fences, but might squeeze through the Saltan Properties Beginners ’Chase.
This does at least represent a drop in class, following his fourth to Harithabad, Pelican Brief and Jack High at Punchestown.
