Woodys Deep Open set to make waves
Noel Meade’s gelding got off the mark over flights in fine style at Fairyhouse last time. He was always travelling sweetly in the hands of Ian Power, producing a decent turn of foot heading to the final flight to beat Numbersixvalverde and Dantes Reef in smooth style.
Moss Bawn is the obvious danger. He left some disappointing efforts behind when battling on strongly to outstay Lincam by a neck at Thurles.
Meade can also provide the solution to the opening Thomastown Maiden Hurdle with Khetaam, who has threatened on more than one occasion to do the business. The selection ran his best race to date over jumps when two lengths second behind Tom Taaffe’s well-regarded Kicking King at Naas. The fact the third was another 25 lengths away is clearly encouraging.
Pay It Forward, however, is a live danger. He was having his first run for Jessica Harrington when runner-up to another highly rated sort, Kadiskar, at Fairyhouse.
There are some interesting newcomers in the Bumper, but whatever copes with Michael Hourigan’s Hi Cloy will surely win! Hi Cloy performed with real promise when beaten a short head by Central House at Punchestown last month.
The form has been working our particularly nicely. Central House has gone on to score twice over hurdles, while third placed GVA Ireland won at Fairyhouse subsequently.
Dessie Hughes’ Poker Pal is the choice to take the Bagenalstown Maiden Hurdle, following his two lengths second to strong favourite Mark The Man in a Fairyhouse bumper.
Colonel Rayburn, a failed gamble when beaten by Evening Scent at Fairyhouse, might be capable of grabbing the Goresbridge Handicap Hurdle. Going up 6lbs for going under by seven lengths is hardly a help, though!
