Vic can defy top weight
Ted Walsh’s progressive seven-year-old is a relentless galloper and a brilliant jumper. If he can manage to give weight and a beating to 17 rivals, then it will be time to take the next step and cross-swords with the big boys, the likes of War Of Attrition.
He warmed up for this test with a satisfactory reappearance, over an inadequate two miles at Naas, rallying in the straight to beat Macs Flamingo by two and a half lengths.
There is little doubt this is a stiff test, but despite having to carry 11-10, there is a strong possibility Southern Vic may well actually be a well handicapped horse!
Ruby Walsh partners Southern Vic and has prospects of a big-race double aboard Footy Facts in the Grade Three Bank Of Ireland Monksfield Novice Hurdle.
The dual bumper winner didn’t have a lot to beat when getting off the mark over flights at Cork, but did his job with a touch of style, cruising to a seven lengths defeat of Swiss Hall.
He is a very promising talent and is preferred to two useful sorts in Casey Jones and Foligold.
The sweet-jumping Justpourit is the one to beat in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Beginners Chase.
Dessie Hughes’ gelding has made a solid start over fences and there was plenty to like about his second outing at Fairyhouse.
Wanango was a decent gamble in that contest and justified the confidence, sweeping through in the closing strides to beat Justpourit by three parts of a length.
Noel Meade and Paul Carberry can team up for a double with Aran Concerto and Island Life. Meade has a huge opinion of Aran Concerto and he will surely go off at odds-on in the 30-runner INH Stallion Owners’ EBF Maiden Hurdle.
The Zaffaran gelding cruised to victory in a bumper at Naas and was in front, back at Naas, when stumbling badly two out, losing all momentum in the contest won by The Railway Man.
Island Life, narrowly beaten by Deputy Consort at Down Royal, can make his experience tell against high-class recruit Lounaos in the Newgrange Hotel three-year-old Maiden Hurdle.
