Upmanship set to make his class tell again
He was out of his depth last time in the King George at Kempton when finishing a remote fifth behind Best Mate.
But on his day this classy sort is a smart horse and it will be a surprise if either Moscow Express or Arctic Copper can get in a serious blow.
Prior to Kempton, the selection took the John Durkan in a canter at Punchestown and among his better efforts last seaaon was taking second behind Flagship Uberalles in the two mile Champion Chase at Cheltenham and victory in a Grade One at Aintree.
Like Native Upmanship, Sean Treacy’s Be My Belle is difficult to oppose in the Durkan Anaglog’s Daughter Mares Novice Chase.
The trip, two and a half miles, is on the short side but in this class that shouldn’t make any great difference.
Be My Belle has taken superbly to fences and she produced a tremendous display for a novice when making all the running to beat Takagi cosily in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park a week ago.
The INH Stallion Owners’ Novice Hurdle looks a good contest, bringing together six previous winners over flights.
Nevertheless, Heads Onthe Ground gets the nap, having impressed with a cantering 11 lengths victory at Navan last time.
The opening Gain Recovery Plus Hurdle also looks interesting. Seven previous winners take each other on, but the one to beat is Mouse Morris’ Skibb.
He won six lengths from Little Pitch at Punchestown earlier in the month and the form got a minor boost when fourth placed Commonchero landed a bumper a Tramore on Tuesday.
Loss Of Faith, no match for Tony Mullins’ useful newcomer, McGruders Cross, at Fairyhouse is the choice in the Bumper.
