Black Church Lad can go one better
At Punchestown in March, he finished half a length and a head third behind Healy’s Pub and Greywell and also performed solidly at the Punchestown Festival last week. Admittedly, Black Church Lad was beaten eight lengths into second place by Crimson Flower, but there was plenty to like about the way he stuck to his task. Encouragingly, Norbrook, who was a length and a half further away in third spot, boosted the form when scoring at Punchestown on Saturday.
Walsh also has a leading chance aboard the Michael Grassick trained Irish Empire in the Cork Maiden Hurdle. A useful sort on the level, Irish Empire performed with promise on his only outing over jumps to date when sixth behind Nil Desperandum at Punchestown in December.
A recent spin on the flat, ninth of 23 to Serjeant At Arms at the Curragh, should have him spot-on and he gets the nod ahead of Favourite Son, a highly promising fifth to Swordplay at Fairyhouse.
Robert Tyner’s former point-to-pointer, Camden Tanner, a more than useful hurdler, gets the vote to make a winning debut over fences in the Banteer Beginners Chase.
Bregogue, raised 6lbs for beating the 35lbs receiving Megamar on this track last time, can land the Conna Handicap Chase.
At Naas, Dermot Weld can continue on his merry winning way with Final Exam in the Listed Woodlands Stakes. The surface was much too quick for the six-year-old when finishing third behind Repertory and Osterhase at Cork last time. Aidan O’Brien’s once-raced Fontanesi is the choice in the Re-Max Town and Country Maiden. He showed plenty when third behind stable companion, Carpanetto, at the Curragh in October.
