Bronx Girl poised to follow up
The four-year-old showed all the right qualities when getting off the mark at Punchestown 13 days ago and, with talented claimer Robbie McNamara again in the plate, is the one to beat.
She made much of the running in that Punchestown event, rallying in fine style in the straight to resist market-leader Callherwhatulike by a head.
The fact it was a further 27 lengths back to the third, the previous Cork scorer Native Royal, gives the form a solid appearance.
Lightly-raced Cabanas should go well in the Roast Turkey Maiden Hurdle. He was out of his depth, but performed with credit, when sixteen and a half lengths fourth behind Aran Concerto on this track last month.
The selection has a length and a half to find with the third, Old Parish, but can reverse the placings on 8lbs better terms.
Dessie Hughes’ Dosco looks best in the Christmas Cracker Handicap Hurdle, having shown dramatic improvement over fences of late.
He was rated 109 when scoring by six lengths at Thurles last time and runs here off a mark 25lbs lower than that.
Hughes’ Schindlers Hunt gets the vote to land the feature event at Leopardstown on St Stephen’s Day, the Grade 1 Durkan New Homes Novice Chase.
A tough, resolute customer, he produced the performance of his life when beaten three parts of a length by Cailin Alainn in another Grade 1, the Drinmore Chase, at Fairyhouse.
The Grade 2 Durkan New Homes Juvenile Hurdle is best left to Eoin Griffin’s Lounaos. A more than useful sort on the level, she made an excellent start over jumps when beating the subsequent winners, Sophist and Island Life, at Navan.
Arthur Moore’s Bien Bronze has a leading chance in the Durkan New Homes Maiden Hurdle. This is not a particularly hot contest and he can be expected to improve for his third to Dooneys Gate and Kendor Dine at Fairyhouse.
The Very Man, 14 lengths runner-up behind Aran Concerto at Navan, should show his appreciation of the drop in class afforded him in the other Durkan New Homes Maiden Hurdle, this time for four-year-olds.
At Limerick on Tuesday, Kings Advocate is napped in the valuable Guinness Greenmount Park Novices Chase.
This was always going to be his game and he could hardly have been more impressive when getting off the mark on this track in November.
Tom Taaffe’s charge jumped for fun on his way to slamming Sir Frederick, who has since boosted the form by scoring at Fairyhouse.
Callherwhatulike, narrowly beaten over flights by Foligold at Galway and in a bumper by Bronx Girl at Punchestown, can enjoy a turn in the Advanced Securities Maiden Hurdle.
