Treble on cards for Mullins and Walsh
They have solid possibilities with Irish Invader, Candy Girl and Joueur D’Estruval. The first named can get us away to the ideal start in the opening Fethard Maiden Hurdle.
Irish Invader has shown steady improvement in three outings over flights and should now be ready to strike.
On his latest appearance, the six-year-old appeared to find two miles and three a trifle further than he wanted to travel when fourth behind Druids Castle at Naas. It is no great surprise he is now dropped down three furlongs in trip.
Candy Girl is hard to oppose in the Jim Strang and Sons Peugeot Novice Hurdle for mares. She certainly looked to be on the upgrade when taking her maiden at Leopardstown at Christmas.
The selection quickened in style in the closing stages to beat Farmer Brown and subsequent winner Albanov and, if anything, this seems an easier assignment!
Joueur D’Estruval is very much the one they all have to beat in the Kilcash Chase, in the expected absence of Far From Trouble, who bolted in over hurdles at Down Royal yesterday.
The grey has a minimum of 9lbs in hand of his rivals and indicated he may be about to hit form with a creditable sixth to Homer Wells in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park.
Nay should run a big race for Walsh and Mullins in the featured Listed Jim Strang and Sons Peugeot Novice Hurdle, but Noel Meade’s Bridge Run is napped to prove too good for him.
Successful in a bumper at Galway, Bridge Run has been rested since getting off the mark over jumps with a smooth victory at Gowran Park in December. Fitness is rarely a worry with horses from this quarter.
