Tasman can make most of easier opportunity
Dermot Weld’s progressive five-year-old was contesting his first race of that type and emerged with reputation enhanced.
Driven to the front over the second last, he could do no more in the closing stages, eventually going down by three parts of a length to Healy’s Pub.
Theatre Lane finished eighth, is clearly held on that form, and the selection is also fancied to cope with easy Naas maiden hurdle winner, Far From Trouble.
Another making a quick reappearance is Noel Meade’s Tous Les Tables in the Hill Of Tara Novice Hurdle.
He ran at Fairyhouse on Tuesday, failing by four and a half lengths to concede Michael O’Brien’s smart import, Levitator, 8lbs.
A horse who likes to stay on the bridle for as a long as possible, Tous Les Tables can gain compensation in what looks an easier assignment.
The durable and consistent Rathgar Beau has enjoyed a terrific campaign and has been found a very easy task in the An Uaimh Chase.
Dusty Sheehy’s charge ran the race of his life at Cheltenham, third behind Thisthatandtother and Fondmort, and it is surely bar a fall in this league.
Likewise Adarma, third to Green Belt Flyer at Naas, looks different class to his rivals in the Senator Novice Chase.
At the Curragh tomorrow, Aidan O’Brien’s Acropolis puts his new found status on the line in the AES Alleged Stakes.
He stepped way up on anything previously achieved when fourth behind Bago in the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in October and if really as good as that then this should be relatively easy.
Kieren Fallon partners Acropolis and he and O’Brien can take the Loughbrown Stakes with Russian Blue, who kept the best of company as a juvenile.
Tropical Lady, she scored five times in-a-row last season at distances ranging from seven to nine furlongs, gets the nap in the Gladness Stakes.
Jim Bolger’s mare indicated there was plenty to come on her first outing of the season when six lengths runner-up behind Kitty O’Shea (rec. 22lbs) at the Curragh last month.
On a moderate card at Tramore tomorrow, Ponmeoath is a hopeful choice to win the Waterford and Tramore Directors’ Maiden Hurdle.
His 12 lengths second to Browny Boy at Limerick isn’t overly exciting, but still makes him a leading player at this level.
