Star set to shine

QUEST FOR A STAR, a useful sort when trained on the flat by John Oxx, can get off the mark over flights at the second time of asking in the Thurles Maiden Hurdle at Tipperary tonight.

Jessica Harrington’s six-year-old made a promising enough jumping debut at Cork ten days ago. He was, ultimately, no match for heavily-backed odds-on shot Kickham, but performed solidly nonetheless. Quest For A Star was beaten seven lengths and, though flattered by that margin, there was enough merit in the display to believe him capable of coping with this opposition.

Barring accidents the first division of the Tipperary Novice Chase can be safely narrowed down to The Gatherer and Golden Row, both horses who do their best work on the bridle.

Golden Row, a prolific winner over hurdles, has been mildly disappointing in his two ventures over fences, behind Catalpa Cargo at Navan and Goss at Ballinrobe.

Preference then is for The Gatherer, a talented, but enigmatic sort. Arthur Moore’s gelding goes well fresh, as he showed on his seasonal debut at Fairyhouse back in November.

That was The Gatherer’s first pop over fences and he looked sure to score, travelling strongly in front at the time, when falling three from home in the contest won by One Night Out.

Willie Mullins is in line for a double with Bassett Tiger and The Guarantor. Bassett Tiger is no flying machine, but still looks different class to his rivals in the first division of the Martin Moloney Building Contractor Beginners Chase. He is far from a beginner at this game and, but for falling at the last with the race at his mercy (eventually won by hot-pot Native Jack at Punchestown in February) wouldn’t be qualified.

The Guarantor, who finished four and a half lengths runner-up to the well-regarded Calithyne over two and a half miles on this track in April, can go one better in the Bumper.