Castle has plenty going for him in very tricky Plate
A very good hurdler, Jimmy Mangan's gelding struggled for a long time to get his act together over fences.
Indeed, Mangan must have almost despaired on occasions, but every cloud has a silver lining. As a result, Conna Castle gets in down near the bottom of the handicap and a clean round of jumping will surely see him go close.
He has hit peak form at just the right time. The selection seemed in rude health at Killarney just over two weeks ago.
Conna Castle jumped brilliantly, until a lapse in concentration almost cost him dearly at the final fence.
In the end he took that moderate contest with the minimum of fuss and it should have done wonders for his confidence.
We could waffle on about the numerous dangers all day, but here's one who believes if Conna Castle is still in contention starting out for the final time that there's every chance he will deliver.
Leg Spinner gets the nap vote in the williamhill.ie Handicap Hurdle.
His latest effort on desperate ground on the flat at Newcastle is best ignored. Previously, however, he ran a cracker on the level at Royal Ascot and scored with lots in hand over flights at Perth. By my calculations, he went up 15lbs, but could still be some way ahead of the game.
Imperial Rose is the one to beat in the William Hill In Ireland Novice Hurdle, although you would have to harbour at least minor reservations regarding her ability to face the hill.
But she does possess a lot of class and is fancied to cut down Dreamy Gent in the closing stages.
David Wachman's De La Grandera can provide the answer to the williamhillarcade.com Maiden. Outclassed at Royal Ascot on his latest appearance, his previous second to Truly Mine at Leopardstown and third to Timarwa and Profound Beauty at the Curragh read well in the context of this opposition.
