Justified has the class to put skids under ‘Oil’ rivals
Dusty Sheehy’s charge will not be able to afford to jump to his left with any frequency, in a contest in which he has to concede weight to a couple of smart rivals.
Some of the selection’s old failings were again apparent in the Grade 1 James Nicholson at Down Royal last time, when Paul Carberry was aboard.
It didn’t, however, prevent Justified from running a cracking good race to finish five lengths runner-up behind Taranis, over a three mile trip which is clearly further than he wants to go.
Previously, this time with Ruby Walsh in the plate, Justified jumped immaculately when slamming One Cool Cookie by ten lengths at Gowran Park.
Brilliant and all as Carberry undoubtedly is, it is no great surprise to see Sheehy turn back to Walsh again here.
Knight Legend and a rejuvenated Mossbank are the two to fear most, but if the pilot can work his magic then Justified has the class to do the business.
Walsh teams up with Uncle Junior in the Maurice F Dougan EBF Novice Hurdle and Willie Mullins’ charge is preferred to The Dotted Line.
Uncle Junior got his act together over flights when scoring by six lengths at Down Royal, although it is disconcerting to note that is a heat which isn’t working out at all. Nevertheless, he is a dual bumper winner, so we know possesses a reasonable engine.
The Dotted Line’s half a length second to Quintana at Naas is, arguably, the most solid form on view, but it did raise some concerns regarding his resolution!
Gazza’s Girl is the best horse in the Listed EBF T.A. Morris Memorial Mares Chase, but loves testing conditions and lacks a recent outing.
Coolgreaney, yet another Walsh ride, could put it up to her. She is seeking a four-timer, will relish the surface and arrives on the back of a shock defeat of Gemini Lucy at Naas.
