In-form King looks set to strike again with gutsy Franchoek
Like Blazing Bailey, Franchoek has been on the go all season, but is tough and resolute and, hopefully, this will not be a bridge too far.
He ran a typically gutsy race in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham, second to Celsetial Halo, and then went to Aintree.
Stepping up to two and a half miles, Franchoek was far from disgraced, taking on older horses for the first time, finishing third behind Elusive Dream.
His form is easily the most solid of any of the ten contestants and, if performing near his best, can deliver.
Willie Mullins’ Serpentaria is very much the one to beat in the Grade 3 Bewleys’ Hotels Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Hurdle.
The former Mark Prescott-trained inmate has made a big impression in her two races over flights in this country.
She won a moderate maiden in a canter at Thurles and then stepped up in class to score unextended by 11 lengths at Fairyhouse.
At Gowran Park tomorrow, Kevin Prendergast’s Mutquan rates a safe wager in the Senior Golf Membership Maiden.
He was third behind Poet and Kargali at the Curragh on his seasonal debut and that’s working out nicely. Kargali went in next time, as did fourth placed, Angels Story.
John Oxx’s Be Smart is fancied to land the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Fillies Maiden.
The daughter of Satue Of Liberty made a highly promising reappearance when a short head second behind Almass at Dundalk.
The Bumper can fall to Charles Byrnes’ Bodalboy, who travelled really well for a long way when sixth to Uimhiraceathair on his debut at Navan.
For flat racing enthusiasts the real highlight of the weekend takes place at Navan tomorrow, when Yeats starts off his campaign in the Vintage Crop Stakes.
He’s a horse of the highest class, but a lot of Aidan O’Brien’s charges are needing that initial outing and Red Moloney could create a mild surprise.
He will have a major edge in fitness, looking on good terms with himself when winning over ten furlongs at the Curragh two weeks ago.
