Burns has Major chance
The selection, winner of a soft ground maiden hurdle at Gowran Park, showed all surfaces come the same to him when narrowly beaten on good to firm on this track earlier in the month. That was the best quality event he has contested to date and Major Burns showed he is on the upgrade with a highly creditable half a length second to Star Of Bethlehem.
Rapide Plaisir, beaten a length and a half by Major Burns’ stable companion Diego Garcia at Ballinrobe, is the obvious danger. But Ruby Walsh, who teams up with the nap, rode Diego Garcia then and will know exactly what is required to cope with that rival again.
Always, who had lost his way as a hurdler, enjoyed a good start over fences with a smooth victory at Fairyhouse and can make it two from two in the Panda Waste Novice Chase.
Accordion Etoile, a horse who goes well fresh, has to be the choice in the Stephen Grainger Haulage Hurdle. He hasn’t been seen since finishing fifth to Newmill in the Grade One Royal Bond Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse in November. Previously, however, on quick ground at Navan, he beat Newmill comfortably and that gives him a definite edge against this opposition!
On a very moderate card at Cork, Willie Mullins may supply the solution to the Bumper with once-raced Florida Belle, who ran on strongly late when dead-heating with Apairofducks for the runner-up berth at Tipperary last week, two lengths adrift of all-the-way winner, Anseo.
Aidan O’Brien introduces another unraced juvenile, Dark Cheetah, in the Fermoy Maiden. The selection has Spring Of Pearls, second to Ballydoyle inmate Cougar Cat at Tipperary, to beat.
Osiris, flattered when going down by three and a half lengths by Warrens Castle at Punchestown a week ago, has been found a good opportunity in the David O’Meara and Sons Beginners Chase.
