Heron’s to take flight
Noel Meade’s gelding is certainly heading in the right direction and there was plenty to like about the manner in which he got off the mark over flights at Punchestown in January.
He picked it up heading to the third last and never flinched in the straight when beating Montana Bay by two and a half lengths.
Montana Bay has boosted the form twice since and there was more encouragement at Limerick on Thursday when remote fourth An Fear Doiteain scored.
Shane Donohoe’s Nuvelli is the one to beat in the Coyle Hamilton Willis EBF Maiden Hurdle.
A creditable second behind Offaly over hurdles at Fairyhouse on January 1, he made no mistake in a bumper at Navan two weeks ago when bolting in to the tune of 15 lengths.
Tom Taaffe’s In The High Grass gets a hopeful nod in the Bioverda EBF Novice Chase.
You couldn’t be overly confident about any of the seven possibilities, but he does come here in sound shape, having been beaten by a head by Carrigeen Kalmia in a Leopardstown handicap.
Judge Roy Bean, who made an impressive debut when cruising to a seven lengths success at Punchestown, gets the vote in the Bumper.
At Navan today the frustrating Ballytrim can land the nap in the O’Connor, Sutton, Cronin Structural Engineers and J V Tierney Mechanical Engineers Beginners Chase.
He ran his best race to date over fences at Gowran Park last time when third to Khetaam and Preists Leap and Preists Leap did his bit for the form when winning at Limerick on Thursday.
If the market speaks in favour of long-absent Woodbine Willie then he should not be opposed in the Bumper.
Philip Fenton’s six-year-old took an ordinary race at Clonmel and then stepped well up on that when half a length runner-up to Clopf at Limerick last March.
Alqaab, mildly disappointing when only fourth behind Duty at Gowran Park, can provide the solution to a moderate Kilberry Maiden Hurdle.
At Clonmel tomorrow, Christy Roche’s Clarkey is fancied to enjoy a first ever success on the racecourse in the Demesne Maiden Hurdle.
He shaped like a real stayer when second to Bridge Run at Gowran Park back in December and should relish what will be a punishing three miles.
Timmy Murphy, a welcome visitor to the track, has prospects of a double with Monoceros and Farmer Brown. Monoceros indicated his turn may not be long delayed when two lengths adrift of the smart Amstecos at Fairyhouse and looks best in the Comeragh Maiden Hurdle.
Farmer Brown battled on well to beat the gambled-on Well Mounted in aLeopardstown handicap last time and seems to face an easier task in the Clonmel Hurdle.
