Rely on Drumconvis
Tony Martin’s charge has a big edge at the weights, following his smooth victory at Naas last Saturday.
Backed from 3-1 to 13-8, he came from way off the pace to stroll to a five lengths defeat of Dashing George.
It seems safe to assume the selection will go up in the region of 20lbs for that, so looks tossed in here under a mandatory 6lbs penalty.
It will be a pleasant surprise should Drumconvis not be odds-on, so the nap falls on Freds Benefit in the Easter Festival 2008 Novice Chase.
The seven-year-old is sure to be a much better price, but has to leave a poor effort at Naas solidly behind if he is going to land this.
At Naas, the selection trailed in a well beaten fourth behind Thyne Again, following a couple of errors along the way.
Previously, Freds Benefit appeared to have a Grade 2 at his mercy when falling at the second last at Limerick and he beat the smart Lenrey at Clonmel.
His bumper, hurdles and chase successes have all come when going right-handed and Willie Mullins’ gelding gets the nap, on the basis this is the direction he needs to travel to be seen at his best!
Mullins finally takes the wraps off Fiveforthree in the Advanced Hospitality Bookings Maiden Hurdle.
This is a weak contest and Fiveforthree is obviously a useful sort, having taken fifth to Cork All Star in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham.
He has to get the nod, but his travels in the market will be all important, considering this is very much a belated seasonal reappearance.
Ruby Walsh teams up with the Mullins pair and has prospects as well aboard Farringdon for Prunella Dobbs in the Happy Valentine’s Day Maiden Hurdle.
Following promising enough efforts at Gowran Park and Limerick, Farringdon could only manage eighth to Siege Of Ennis at Leopardstown, but is entitled to the vote on the balance of his form.
