Side with Sivota
The meeting is, however, subject to an 8am inspection, with the possibility of a heavy frost overnight a cause for concern.
Now in the care of Mick Murphy, Sivota made a solid start to his jumping career with two promising efforts. He made his debut at Gowran Park last month when taking fourth behind Prince Erik, with subsequent winner, Dani California, in second.
Beaten eight lengths, the selection would have finished even closer, but for blundering badly two from home.
Sivota then stepped up on that performance at Naas ten days ago. He split two useful older horses, Peplum and Sarteano, and has obvious prospects back in his own age group.
The Book Your Festival Tickets On Line Maiden Hurdle has been divided three-ways, to make a six-race programme, and the first can fall to Equus Maximus.
Impressive when scoring on his debut at Leopardstown, Willie Mullins’ gelding was then favourite for the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival two years ago, but could only manage 12th behind Hairy Molly.
He has clearly had problems in the meantime and wasn’t seen again until reappearing over flights at Naas earlier in the month.
Although only ninth to Home Hunter, Equus Maximus ran a cracker, before being hampered and tiring from the penultimate obstacle.
As long as the so-called ‘bounce’ factor doesn’t kick in, the eight-year-old should prove well capable of taking this modest heat.
Sizing Africa looks best in the third division of the contest. The dual bumper winner has been disappointing so far this campaign, heavily-backed when fourth to Siege Of Ennis at Leopardstown last time, but the drying ground could see him in a better light!
