Frederick going in the right direction
Liam Burke's seven-year-old isn't the most consistent of sorts, but if putting his best foot forward is well capable of making short work of this opposition.
He made no show when pulled up in the Grade 2 won by Hear The Echo at Leopardstown last time and performed only marginally better previously, also at Leopardstown, when a remote fifth to Cailin Alainn in a Grade 1.
In the context of this contest, however, he is surely better judged on his easy defeat of Merdeka at Fairyhouse in early December.
It is also worth noting that Sir Frederick has only ever scored when travelling in this afternoon's direction - right-handed!
Paul Nolan's Savitha is fancied to shrug off top weight in the Ballypatrick Handicap Hurdle.
She was sent to the front far too early when third to Pearl's A Singer at Leopardstown and it was the same story at Leopardstown prior to that when third to Lukie Victor.
Cobham, beaten three and a half lengths by stable companion Scotsirish at Leopardstown, will be a popular choice in the Irish Stallion Farms' EBF Maiden Hurdle. Despite minor reservations about his ability to see out two and a half miles in testing conditions, Cobham gets the vote, the Leopardstown race having been boosted subsequently by third placed, Hairy Molly.
Lemonfield, from the in-form John Murphy stable, could be a viable alternative. His best effort came at Thurles in December when grabbed late and beaten a neck by the useful Pontium.
Sorrentina, sixth to Scotsirish at Leopardstown, gets a hopeful nod in the Clonmel Mares Maiden Hurdle.
