Top Strategy the right choice
Ted Walsh’s gelding has two outstanding pieces of form to his credit, although it must be said as well that he’s quite capable of producing a mediocre performance.
At Leopardstown last Christmas he showed his best side with a three and a half lengths defeat of Al Eile in the Grade One Denny Juvenile Hurdle.
He then lost his way, before turning in a career-best effort in the Triumph hurdle at Cheltenham, finishing third behind Made In Japan and Chief Yeoman.
The selection warmed up for this test at Navan 13 days ago when, after proving a big drifter in the market, he was doing all his best work at the end to finish three lengths runner-up to Hasanpour.
Homer Wells, who will relish the two miles, three furlongs and soft ground, gets the vote in the INH Stallion Owners’ Maiden Hurdle.
He rounded off last season with a couple of moderate efforts, on a surface too lively, and is best judged on his length second to Forty Licks in a winners’ bumper at Navan in February.
Like-A-Butterfly and Newmill promise the race of the day in the Irish Stallion Farms’ Beginners ’Chase.
Newmill, a terrific novice hurdler, could go right to the top at this game and has, reportedly, schooled nicely for his first test over fences.
Narrow preference, however, is for Like-A-Butterfly. This powerful mare has a series of high-class efforts to her credit, including beating Limestone Lad in last year’s AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown.
At Cork tomorrow, Jessica Harrington’s Strike Back is nap material in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice ’Chase.
He jumped very poorly first time up over fences at Gowran Park, but was much better at Down Royal subsequently when beaten a flattering length and a half by Mariah Rollins.
Dessie Hughes’ horses are largely out of form, but his Hardy Duckett is still difficult to oppose in the Shreelawn Oil Hurdle.
The five-year-old was competing in a higher grade when third to Diego Garcia and Rapide Plaisir at Ballinrobe back in May.
Liscooney looked a decent prospect when easily scoring on this track last month and has to be fancied to make it two from two in the winners’ Bumper.
At Navan tomorrow, Sweet Kiln gets the vote to land a fascinating Tote Exacta Monksfield Novices ’Hurdle.
She was surprisingly beaten in a much worse contest at Thurles, but two and a half miles and a big, galloping track like this is surely what’s required!
Jack High, who has caught the eye in his two outings this season, at Galway and Punchestown, is a hopeful choice to take the Stanleybet Troytown Handicap ’Chase.
:
12.45 Homer Wells (n.b)
1.15 Like-A-Butterfly
1.45 Rupununi
2.15 Coccinelle
2.45 Ira Hayes
3.15 Top Strategy (nap)
3.45 County Final
