Ballyconnell set to go one better in novice chase
Successful in three point to points, he made an excellent start on the racecourse at Galway ten days ago.
Ultimately, the Insan gelding proved no match for the classy Thari, who was heavily backed to make a winning debut over fences.
Thari eventually beat Ballyconnell a length and a half, which was no reflection of his superiority. He was hard held by Paul Carberry in the closing stages and only asked to do the bare minimum.
But, encouragingly, Ballyconnell, who jumped really well, stuck manfully to his task and was 12 lengths clear of the third.
Vandante, who hopped off the fast ground when beating Super Fellow a short head at Tipperary, rates the main danger.
The Paul Roche trained Arctic Force looks very much the right one in the Bumper.
Lightly raced and on the upgrade, the five year old ran his best race to date on this track last time when beaten a head by Cara Is Fearr.
Laurel River is no world beater, but may be good enough to get through the Lisronagh Mares Beginners Chase.
She was always prominent, and looked the likely winner for most of the straight, when three parts of a length runner up behind Saddler’s Bay at Tipperary last month.
Adams’fool, a trifle unlucky to only finish second to Beaufort Belle at Killarney on Monday, might be capable of going one better in the Russellstown Handicap Hurdle.
