Tranquil Seacan storm home
The five-year-old made a very promising start over flights at Fairyhouse earlier in the month and will surely come on a bundle for the experience.
He travelled and jumped beautifully through the contest and, though never really threatening to get to grips with Noel Meade’s Tranquil Sea in the closing stages, was only beaten a length and three parts.
The fact it was a further 14 lengths back to the third, Stewarts House, gives the form a very solid appearance.
Only four are set to face the starter in the Grade 1 Durkan New Homes Novice Chase and it seems safe enough to concentrate on Perce Rock and Sky’s The Limit.
The latter has the best form, having won another Grade 1, the Drinmore Chase, at Fairyhouse last time.
Preference, however, is for Perce Rock, who got off the mark over fences at the first time of asking with a smooth effort at Navan.
He gets the nod on the basis of having more speed, over this two miles and a furlong, than Sky’s The Limit, who would surely prefer further!
Willie Mullins has a strong hand in the other Grade 1 on the programme, the Durkan New Homes Juvenile Hurdle.
His Sonnium might provide the answer, having powered home at Thurles, giving the impression there could may be far better to come.
Taravada, third to Majestic Concorde and Ninetieth Minute, both winners in the meantime, at Punchestown is the choice in the second maiden hurdle on the card.
The featured Guinness Greenmount Park Novice Chase at Limerick is best left to Freds Benefit, who could hardly have made a more impressive start to his chasing career when cruising to victory at Clonmel.
