Ballycullen Boy gets nod in wide-open National
Maureen Danagher’s eight-year-old is a horse on the upgrade and having to race from 2lbs out of the handicap isn’t too much of a worry.
The closest he has come to landing a big pot was when finishing a length second behind Ponmeoath in the Kerry National at Listowel in September.
Ballycullen Boy disappointed in the Munster National at Limerick subsequently and was then wisely put away, following a very busy campaign.
The selection made no show on his reappearance at Naas in February, before producing a cracking effort over flights at Thurles.
In what was a hotly contested Grade 2, he emerged with real credit, 11 lengths runner-up behind the impressive Cooldine. That effort got a timely boost when Cooldine went in again at Fairyhouse yesterday.
Four others against the field are Cailin Alainn, Alexander Taipan, Royal County Star and Well Run.
There isn’t much between Cailin Alainn and Alexander Taipan on recent Thurles form and they could both be very well treated.
Royal County Star, successful in the Troytown at Navan, will be all the better for a recent spin over flights and has clearly been laid out for this.
Well Run is 9lbs wrong at the weights, but looked a reformed character when scoring over three and a half miles at Downpatrick. Previously held back by indifferent jumping, it was quite spectacular in the north.
The consistent Boulavogue could enjoy a turn in the Betchronicle On Course Hurdle, having performed solidly behind Moore’s Law at Punchestown and Larkwing at Navan. Preference, however, is for Robin Du Bois, who found three miles much further than he wanted to travel in the Pertemps Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Stewarts House gets the nap in the McGarrell Reilly Homes Handicap Hurdle. He’s been frustrating and costly to follow, but two miles and six and travelling right-handed are the ingredients required to see him at his best.
The valuable Grade 3 Betchronicle Private Client Telebet Hurdle has seen a pathetic response by trainers and, from an entry of 19, only two meet the engagement.
Earth Magic has 7lbs in hands of Kalderon and this tough sort is readily preferred.
