Make it Migmatite
Michael Kinane makes his first visit of the week to Kerry to ride the four-year-old and that’s an obvious plus.
The Giant’s Causeway gelding has run just twice in his life, starting by finishing third in a bumper at Tipperary, when it appeared as if he failed to see out the two miles.
Migmatite then contested a mile and six on the flat at Leopardstown, producing a performance which was full of promise.
Again that trip seemed beyond his capacity for the moment. Migmatite was in front a furlong and a half down, but faded in the closing stages and was eventually beaten four and a half lengths into second behind the smart Impudent. It is a mile and three now and that just might be the key!
The Colm Foley Memorial Novice Hurdle is interesting, bringing together some useful sorts who are on the upgrade.
Apt To Run, Cloone Rocket and Field Commander are all entitled to plenty of respect, but the final nod falls on Scholars Mate.
Lightly raced, he has a lot of scope for improvement and there was plenty to like about the manner in which he disposed of subsequent winner, Aldaher Beebers, at Clonmel last month.
Joys Island who had Imperial Rose, now 8lbs worse in, behind in third when scoring at Clonmel is, arguably, the form horse in the Dawn Milk Run Handicap Hurdle.
But it is disconcerting he hasn’t been seen for 70 days and Imperial Rose is now preferred.
She has since scored in a canter in a moderate event over flights at Ballinrobe and on the level at the Curragh.
The Bumper is crammed with dark horses, but whatever finishes in front of Kingcove should collect.
Harry Rogers’ charge made a solid start when a length and a half runner-up to Kirbybroguelantern at Down Royal.
