Earth can turn on the Magic
Michael Bowe’s seven-year-old will relish the trip, on the evidence of his clear-cut success over two miles and three at Naas last time.
The selection appeared to be in trouble early in the straight, but absolutely powered up the final hill to beat the useful Dancing Tornado going away by four and a half lengths.
Brilliant bumper horse Leading Run continues to disappoint over flights, so Uncle Junior may well emerge as the principal danger.
Willie Mullins’ gelding has enjoyed bloodless victories at Down Royal and Clonmel, but didn’t beat much in either of them.
It is impossible to know just how good he really is, but what’s for certain is that there will be no hiding place with Earth Magic likely to ask serious questions a long way out.
Albanov is proving frustrating over fences, but it may be a case of third time lucky for Jessica Harrington’s gelding in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Beginners Chase.
He made his debut on this track when slammed to the tune of 16 lengths by ill-fated Rindoon and returned to Thurles a week ago, failing to get to grips with all-the-way shock winner Dark Artist, going down by three and a half lengths.
Our Ben, third to Forget The Past here 21 days ago, is obviously the one to beat in the Glen Chase.
But he has never quite fulfilled earlier promise and Afistfullofdollars, returning from a two year break, is put up against him.
Afistfullofdollars hasn’t been seen since making a spectacular start over fences at Down Royal, but has always been highly regarded in the Noel Meade yard and, hopefully, the market will speak in his favour!
Meade’s Judge Deed gets the vote in the Cahir Maiden Hurdle. Like stable companion Charlie Yardbird, he has plenty of talent, but doesn’t find a lot at the end of his races.
Nevertheless, some of Judge Deed’s form is particularly smart, in the context of this opposition, especially his second to Arrive Sir Clive at Leopardstown last Christmas.
