Rely on Rush to get off mark
The daughter of Hernando made a solid start at Navan early last month and, unless gone backwards in the meantime, will prove hard to beat.
She was beaten half a length by Ezima and had the useful Peeping Fawn nine lengths away in third. That seems to give her a definite edge in this class!
Pat Hughes’ Farmer Brown is in fine shape right now and has to be fancied to take the Laurels Bar Hurdle.
Farmer Brown enjoyed a bloodless success, he was 1-4, at Sligo last time, but prior to that finished a creditable third to Bobs Pride and Bien Bronze in a competitive Punchestown handicap.
Eagle’s Pass, who hinted at better to come when fourth to Sizing Europe at Punchestown, is rated the greatest worry.
Conna Castle, who proved frustrating over fences during the winter, can start to redress the balance in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Beginners Chase.
His latest effort came over flights at Liverpool when finishing a remote 13th behind Two Miles West. He performed much better than his final placing would suggest, however, and may now be finally ready to strike.
Another who had a frustrating winter, Irish Invader, gets the vote in the McSweeney Arms Maiden Hurdle.
He hasn’t been seen since taking third behind Tailor’s Hall and Tawnies at Thurles in March. That form has worked out particularly well with Tailor’s Hall going on to beat talented Aitmatov at Navan and fourth placed Sandhurst has also won in the meantime.
