Mounthenry to make no mistake this time
The Charles Byrnes-trained six-year-old fell first time up at Limerick ten days ago, when poised on the heels of the leaders.
That contest went to Royal Heritage, after Mounthenry, who had jumped really well, crumbled on landing at the third last when cruising and, apparently, full of running.
A top-class novice hurdler, he ran his best race in defeat when a length second behind Nicanor in a Grade One at the Punchestown Festival in April.
It is put in context when you consider Nicanor had previously proved far too good for Denman in the Royal and SunAlliance Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham.
The sweet-jumping Ballyagran, impressive when scoring at Listowel and Roscommon, is the obvious worry.
Noel Meade trains Ballyagran and regardless of how that horse does, the Co Meath handler should be on the mark through the day.
His exciting Leading Run has a first pop over jumps in the Punchestown 2007 Annual Membership Maiden Hurdle and is hard enough to oppose.
He is unbeaten in four bumpers, the latest coming at the Festival here when producing a game display to beat Cheltenham winner, Hairy Molly, and Lord Over.
Reports regarding the manner in which he has schooled are not overly encouraging, however, and a watching brief may be best. The vote falls on Badgerlaw, narrowly beaten by Sher Why Not at Gowran Park.
Meade's Iktitaf has Champion Hurdle pretensions and will have to make short work of three much inferior opponents, in the Ryans' Cleaning Services Hurdle, if such thinking is to prove in any way realistic.
He has a huge amount in hand at the weights and his fitness isn't in doubt, having recently landed the Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh.
Another Meade possibility is Cousin Lizzie, successful on the flat at Fairyhouse, in the Tote Sports Lounge At Punchestown three-year-old Maiden Hurdle.
