Rely on Iktitaf
Colm Murphy moved quickly to book Barry Geraghty, who will team up with the champion hurdler for the first time.
Brave Inca’s qualities have been well documented by now. He’s game, as tough as they come and loves nothing better than a good scrap.
Reluctantly, however, I pass him over on this occasion and the vote falls on Noel Meade’s Iktitaf. He may well struggle to go past his durable opponent later in the campaign, but has a lot in his favour now.
Whereas Brave Inca is having a first pop of the season, Iktitaf has no less than three runs under his belt. The five-year-old began with a decent effort to land the Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh and should be brimming with confidence, following two bloodless successes over flights on this track and Down Royal.
Asian Maze, the jury remains out as to whether she is really a two-miler, Newmill and Brave Inca all like to race on the pace.
Iktitaf, in contrast, is very much a hold-up horse and there is every reason to believe the cards will fall in his favour!
Conna Castle gets the nod to take a fascinating Grade Two Volkswagen Craddockstown Novice Chase. Ruby Walsh, who rides to an extraordinarily high standard, gave him a moderate drive when Conna Castle came from the clouds to be beaten a length by Vic Venturi at Galway. Trust Walsh to redress the balance.
At Punchestown this afternon, Mattock Ranger is the nap chocie in the four-runner Irish Field Novice Chase.
This was always going to be his game and he made an excellent start over fences at Punchestown when beating the useful Knight Legend by four lengths.
Vic Venturi is the obvious danger, but has a 6lbs penalty for his Grade Three victory at Galway and that can swing matters in favour of the selection.
Noel Meade trains Mattock Ranger and can also supply the answer to the Narraghmore Maiden Hurdle with Hotel Hilamar.
The five-year-old, easy winner of a Roscommom bumper, proved no match for ill-fated War General first time over jumps at Naas, but will surely come on a bundle for the experience.
At Cork tomorrow the classy Dessie Hughes-trained Grangeclare Lark is hard to oppose in the O’Flynn Construction Hurdle.
She took a Fairyhouse bumper by 13 lengths, as a prelude to a smooth success in a Grade Three Hurdle at Down Royal.
