In-form Nickname has edge on Newmill
The two mile champion chaser hasn’t been seen since making his seasonal debut when a remote fourth of four behind Iktitaf in the Morgiana Hurdle on this track back in November.
The ground is going to be far from ideal for the nine-year-old, but Murphy reasoned yesterday that time is running short and he is anxious to get a much-needed outing into his stable star.
A decent performance will set Newmill up nicely for a return visit to Prestbury Park, but he surely faces an uphill task now against in-form Nickname.
Martin Brassil’s gelding is in tremendous shape, recording wide-margin successes at Leopardstown and Punchestown, and will revel in the surface.
De Valira and Perce Rock promise a cracking tussle for the other Grade 2 on the programme, the Byrne Group Novice Nurdle.
De Valira is currently 6-1 joint favourite with Amaretto Rose for Cheltenham’s Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, with Perce Rock a 16-1 shot.
The issue is clouded, however, with Perce Rock is receipt of 6lbs from his rival. Tommy Stack’s charge finished a creditable four lengths second to Silverburn in the Tolworth Hurdle at Sandown and should come on plenty for that experience. His only previous run over flights yielded an easy victory in what was a dreadful contest at Gowran Park.
De Valira is all class, producing a fine turn of foot to beat Catch Me at Leopardstown. He’s going to be hard to beat, but Perce Rock is napped to do just that.
Michael O’Brien trains De Valira and his Deputy Consort gets the nap in the Corporate Hospitality Hurdle at Fairyhouse this afternoon.
He finished a well beaten third behind Lounaos and Robin Du Bois at Leopardstown, but is down in class and the form was boosted with the subsequent easy Thurles win of fourth placed Financial Reward.
The Fairyhouse Racecard Advertising Maiden Hurdle is best left to Arthur Moore’s Bien Bronze, even if he was a bit disappointing at Leopardstown on his latest appearance.
He finished ten lengths third to Charlie Yardbird, finding little for pressure, after moving well through the contest. Weaker opposition and two furlongs less to travel could be just what’s required!
At Limerick tomorrow, Disclosure looks best in the opening Coffey Construction Maiden Hurdle. He was beaten a short head by Jack Absolute on this track last month and that appears good enough.
Eric McNamara is fancied to land a double with Larkwing and Ponmeaoth. Larkwing, a close third to Academy Reward and Thursday’s Thurles winner, Ebaziyan, on his debut over jumps at Cork has to be the choice in the Bothar Hibernian Maiden Hurdle.
Ponmeoath, who ran a smashing race when going under by half a length to Snowy Morning at Gowran Park, can deliver in the Coffey Construction Beginners Chase.
