Make it Macs
Five of the six runners met in the Bewleys’ Festival Hurdle here at Christmas and Jessica Harrington’s gelding proved far too good for his rivals.
He beat Brave Inca a comfortable three lengths, with Hardy Eustace, Solerina and Georges Girl all further back. Macs Joy travelled easily through the contest, led when asked by Barry Geraghty and scored with plenty in hand.
Accordion Etoile didn’t face the starter on that occasion, but is likely to struggle in the testing conditions and Macs Joy to again beat Brave Inca is the prediction.
French invader Foreman, with Tony McCoy aboard, is a hopeful choice in the Baileys’ Arkle Cup. He won the AIG last year and made a promising debut over fences at Newbury recently.
Foreman was beaten nine lengths into second spot by current Arkle Trophy favourite, Kauto Star, when attempting to concede 11lbs.
The progressive Mr Babbage gets the nod in a fiercely competitive looking Building Design Golden Cygnet Novice Hurdle.
He did well to outstay Simon at Thurles earlier in the month and is likely to be far better suited by this more galloping track.
Joint Agreement, who caught the eye when staying on to finish a close third behind Benji’s Treasure and Hard Shoulder in a two mile event at Leopardstown last time, gets the nap in the Cork Airport Handicap Hurdle.
At Naas today, Barry Geraghty is the man to have on your side. He can guide Pat Fahy’s Macs Flamingo to success in the Irish Stallion Farms Irish Racing Writers’ Novice Hurdle.
The selection made an excellent start over jumps at Leopardstown at Christmas, cruising to an eight lengths defeat of well-regarded, In Compliance.
Geraghty is fancied to get his day off to the perfect start on John Bleahan’s Tigerlion in the INH Stallion EBF Maiden Hurdle.
Runner-up behind Homer Wells at Naas, he followed by finishing fourth to Petertheknot at Navan and this represents a significant drop in class.
The conditions of the Cedar Building Hurdle are stacked in favour of Adamant Approach and he did run well when fourth behind Essex in the Pierse Hurdle at Leopardstown.
But he has always struggled in the past on this type of ground and it may pay to look elsewhere for the winner. The vote goes to Hi Cloy.
He is a very smart performer, when on song, who was good enough to beat Kicking King over fences at Fairyhouse last Easter.
