Catch Me one to note in opener
The ex-German horse has made a big impression in two races on the flat in Ireland and appears to have a bright future over jumps.
He began with a clear-cut five lengths success at the Curragh in April and later that month was again impressive, this time at Tipperary.
He beat the useful Menwaal unextended by four and a half lengths and that was a smart effort. Catch Me is certain to have been well schooled for this assignment and gets a confident vote.
The Grade Three Paddy Power Poplar Square Chase is notable for the the fact that the two who should dominate, Slim Pickings and Southern Vic, are better over much further than this two miles.
The vote goes to Slim Pickings, who has the benefit of a recent outing, finishing third to Sir Oj at Gowran Park.
The progressive Finger Onthe Pulse should run a big race in the competitive Woodlands Park 100 Brown Lad Handicap Hurdle.
He beat Ponmeoath (rec 1lb) by four and a half lengths on his reappearance at Naas and can defy an 8lbs hike in the weights.
Leading Run, who overcame some sloppy jumping when scoring at Punchestown, is hard to oppose in the INH Stallion Owners’ EBF Novice Hurdle.
At Wexford today Abbeybraney, who slammed G’Day Mate by 22 lengths at Fairyhouse a week ago, can take the Ellickson Engineering Novice Hurdle.
Irish Nation, down in class and trip, after finishing a length second to Aces Or Better at Listowel, is the one to be on in the Slaney Horse Feed Maiden Hurdle.
Arguably the best contest of the weekend in this country, the Hartmann Jewellers’ Ballybrit Novice Chase, takes place at Galway tomorrow.
It brings together a trio of cracking hurdlers in Conna Castle, Vic Venturi and Studmaster. The nod falls on triple point-to-point winner, Conna Castle, who has been crying out for fences and is reported by trainer, Jimmy Mangan, to be reasonably straight for his return.
Ruby Walsh partners Conna Castle and also has prospects aboard Dermot Weld’s Cosmic String in the Galway City Tribune Handicap Hurdle.
He ran well enough on the level at the Curragh last Sunday and has been left on the same mark, following a smoothly gained victory in a maiden hurdle at Tralee.
At Wexford tomorrow Kendor Dime is napped in the Block Ltd Maiden Hurdle. A decent horse on the flat in France, he was unsuited by the slow pace when only seventh to Roisin’s Prince on his debut over jumps at Cork.
