Straightforward looking task for the progressive Nickname
Martin Brassil has campaigned the eight-year-old brilliantly this season and has put his Cheltenham aspirations on the back-burner, on the basis he may not get the testing conditions which are so vital to his two mile Champion Chase prospects.
In the meantime, Nickname has continued to make hay and was particularly impressive at Punchestown last time when slamming Central House by seven lengths. Only if he does something silly can one envisage him meeting defeat.
The classy Schindlers Hunt can come through his toughest test to date over fences, attempting to concede Patsy Hall 7lbs, in the Anglo Irish Bank Nas Na Riogh Novice Chase.
Dessie Hughes’ gelding is very progressive, however, and appeared to have plenty in the tank when beating King Johns Castle by two lengths at Leopardstown last time.
Another hugely progressive sort, Kazal, is fancied to defy top weight in the paddypower.com Johnstown Novice Hurdle.
Eoin Griffin’s inmate again produced great battling qualities to resist Aitmatov by a head to complete a hat-trick at Leopardstown last month.
Arbor Supreme, a recent J P McManus purchase, won a bumper by eight lengths at the first time of asking at Leopardstown and will obviously be a popular choice in the Paddy Power Dial-A-Bet Maiden Hurdle.
Ted Walsh’s Heavenly Blues is napped to prove too good for him, though. A more than useful sort on the level in Germany, he made a solid start over jumps when third to Montana Bay and the subsequent winner, Bad Day Bad Day, at Punchestown.
Aintree Grand National hero Numbersixvalverde holds a leading chance in the At The Races Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse this afternoon.
A couple of spins over flights should have him spot-on for this test and he gets the nod over Point Barrow. Watson Lake is best treated at the weights, but may struggle to last out this three miles and one in testing conditions.
Convincing misses the Aramark Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle, having suffered a stone-bruise after declaration time yesterday.
The nap falls on Tony Martin’s French-import Robin Du Bois in this Grade 3. He could hardly have made a better start in Ireland when three and a half lengths runner-up to Lounaos at Leopardstown at Christmas.
The puzzling Irish Invader gets the nod in the valuable INH Stallion Owners’ EBF Novice Handicap Hurdle. Willie Mullins’ charge seemed to find two miles and three further than he wanted to travel when fourth to Druids Castle at Naas.
Then, when dropped down to two miles on this track, Irish Invader looked woefully short of pace, third to Amstecos. Perhaps, this three miles is what’s required!
Washington Lad, a faller six out in the contest won by Khetaam at Gowran Park a week ago, is worth another shot in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Beginners Chase.
