Kitski and Lee look the part
He enjoyed a first ever success over fences at Market Rasen in December, a contest which has been working out really well.
Ferdy Murphy’s charge, a good order in the market that day, produced a smooth performance to beat subsequent winner, Pass Me By, by eight lengths.
The fourth, Mon Mome, gave the form two major boosts subsequently. At Warwick he finished a creditable second to Ladalko and before that was runner-up behind Halcon Genelardis in the Welsh National at Chepstow.
The fact that top weight Southern Vic has stood his ground means Kitski gets into the race perched perfectly at the botttom off 9-10.
There are, as you would expect in a contest as valuable as this, numerous dangers. Chief among them are Cheeky Lady, American Jenny and Well Tutored, but Kitski, with Graham Lee in the plate, to at least run a big race is the prediction.
Toofarback, even if he is inclined to throw in the the odd error, gets the nap to land the Irish Stallion Farms' EBF Novice 'Chase.
He was holding every chance, and appeared full of running, when falling five out in the Grade 1 won by Cailin Alainn at Leopardstown.
Previously, the selection beat Alexander Taipan a short head at Punchestown and that effort gives him a definite edge against these rivals.
Another Nation, also not adverse to a blunder here and there, could be a real blot on the Ashkalani Of Coolmurry Stud Carey's Cottage Handicap 'Chase.
He indicated to being a lot better than a 94-rated ’chaser when a length and a half second to Emma Jane in a Grade 3 novice hurdle at Cork.
The booking of Barry Geraghty is a big plus.
Conor O'Dwyer teams up with Celestial Wave for the first time, in the Alo Duffin Memorial Galmoy Hurdle, and Adrian Maguire’s mare is fancied to run her rivals ragged.
She put up a sparkling display over today’s trip, three miles, when slamming Sweet Kiln by ten lengths at Leopardstown and Strangely Brown, Rosaker and Emotional Moment, who all try again, were well beaten off.
Ex-French horse Shazand, useful on the level for Alain de Royey-Dupre, made a solid start over flights behind Deutchsland at Punchestown, and can prove the right one in the P J Foley Memorial Maiden Hurdle.
