Sizing Europecan clean up
Henry de Bromhead has his charges in good shape, as evidenced by the success of The Spoonplayer at Naas on Sunday, and the progressive five-year-old is fancied to have the legs on Aitmatov.
The selection was a smart horse last season, rounding off his campaign with a decent effort at the Punchestown Festival in April.
He stormed into the lead going to the second last to beat the useful Big Zeb unextended by three and a half lengths. The ground was on the quick side then and that very much sways one towards Sizing Europe.
Aitmatov has certainly achieved more than de Bromhead's gelding, but would be better suited by a soft surface and is passed over.
Only five are set to face the starter in the Grade 3 Star Best For Racing Coverage Chase and it remains to be seen if one of them, Forget The Past, meets the engagement.
His trainer, Michael O'Brien, has expressed fears about running the nine-year-old on ground which may well be much too fast for him.
Central House and Knight Legend then look the pair on which to concentrate. Central House will be fit from a spin on the level at Listowel, but two miles and six may well stretch his stamina.
Preference is for Knight Legend, who has been plagued by indifferent jumping. It held up well at Listowel, however, touched off late by Conna Castle, and a solid display now can see him land this nice prize.
Judge Deed, despite the fact he is not to be trusted implicitly, gets the nod in the 25-runner Ascot Visits Punchestown Maiden Hurdle.
He has plenty going for him, on the basis that a lot of his form is reasonably smart, he has loads of experience and most of the opposition are moderate.
