Quel Doun ready to strike
Walsh’s mount, Quel Doun, should be ready to strike and gets the nap to land the opening Bank Of Ireland Maiden Hurdle. Willie Mullins’ gelding, runner-up behind Seaforde at Clonmel and Three Mirrors at Gowran Park, is dropped in class having performed with credit in a Grade Two at Leopardstown ten days ago.
The French-bred finished a length and a half and three lengths third behind Power Elite and Nopekan, after blundering at the final flight when in front. He is fancied to get off the mark now, at the main expense of Amid The Chaos and Akhtari, in an interesting race.
Paul Carberry is a significant booking for Amid The Chaos, who got bogged down in the very testing conditions when fifth in the contest won by Alicudi at Fairyhouse.
Akhtari’s travels in the market will be worth noting. Now in the care of Dessie Hughes, he has run just once in his life - taking an extended 12 furlongs maiden for John Oxx and the Aga Khan in fine style at Thurles in October.
Walsh and Mullins could also land another good class event, the Bank Of Ireland Hurdle, with the improving Lasquini Du Moulin. Admittedly, he has to come on again to deal with some more seasoned rivals but looks just the type to do so.
He didn’t have much to beat when plouging through heavy ground to beat Ransboro at Clonmel, but impressed with his attitude and is likely to be far more at home on this surface!
Noel Meade’s horses are in fine shape and his twice-raced Factor Two gets the nod in the Bumper. The Be My Native gelding made a good start at Navan in November, third to Desert Island and Jackie Cullen. Coming up to Christmas he disappointed behind Tanterari at Gowran Park at a time when the Meath handler’s horses simply weren’t right.
