Turf can lord it in novice chase
John Bleahen’s charge is very useful on his day and won three in-a-row in the earlier part of the campaign, producing some fine efforts in the process.
The ten-year-old lost his way at Leopardstown at Christmas and again disappointed at Navan in February.
But his Naas effort was much more promising.
The selection made a lot of the running and was still bowling along merrily in front when falling four out, the contest eventually going to Glens Music.
That fall was completely out of character for Lord Of The Turf, who is normally a quite brilliant jumper.
Hopefully, he can now get back on the winning trail. Rockstown Boy is napped to provide the answer to the Mellon Stud Bumper.
He looked a possible star of the future when making a winning debut at Gowran Park back in October.
He was then beaten a neck by Stacumny Bridge at Fairyhouse and was a trifle disappointing when only third to Masteroffoxhounds and Poker Pal at Cork.
Both his defeats came over two miles and the fact Rockstown Boy now returns to the distance of his Gowran Park victory, two and a half, increases one’s confidence in his ability to do the business.
Edward O’Grady’s Sacundai can hardly be opposed in the four-runner www.Limerick-racecourse.com Hurdle.
He proved far too good for Florida Coast at Naas and then gave Liss A Paoraigh 3lbs and a length and a half beating at Gowran Park.
At his best Sausalito Bay, in receipt of 7lbs, would make it hot for Sacundai.
But this former winner of the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham, he had Best Mate behind then, has had his training problems and has shown little in three outings over fences of late.
Satcoman, beaten a length and a half by the smart Tell Me See at Naas, gets the nod to take the St Patrick’s Day Maiden Hurdle.
Wexford today houses a moderate programme, but one who might oblige is Fourstargale, a close third to Allfourwhite and hot-pot Adarma at Limerick, in the Bumper.
Willie Mullins’ Warrens Castle, well beaten in a bumper at Thurles, will benefit from the better ground and can take the Knockhouse Stud Maiden Hurdle.
