Casey can get off mark over fences
A decent staying novice hurdler, he has obviously had his problems and was only seen once last season.
That was at Naas towards the end of February when he finished a remote 21 lengths runner-up behind the smart Thyne Again.
It was unlikely the selection was anywhere near wound up for that, because losing his novice status at such a late stage in the campaign wouldn’t have made a whole lot of sense.
It is particularly encouraging then that Noel Meade now has him fit and well so early in the new season and Casey Jones is the choice.
Dessie Hughes has his inmates in terrific shape and Mohtarres can prove another for him in the Ballyhale Handicap Hurdle.
The five-year-old has to hump top weight, after being raised 14lbs for winning by 11 lengths at Navan last Saturday.
Roger Loughran was in the plate on that occasion, but talented 7lbs claimer, Ian McCarthy, now takes over.
The very frustrating Silver Shoon gets the nap in the Mullen’s Traditional Fast Food Median Auction Maiden at Dundalk tonight.
She clearly failed to stay seven furlongs when second to John Oxx’s newcomer, Dabeina, on this track 13 days ago.
Silver Shoon is now dropped down to five furlongs and, from a favourable draw in three, it isn’t hard to envisage her attempting to make all the running!
Ashka, who bolted in here last time and is in the care of course specialist, Ger Lyons, gets preference over long-absent Red Eye Express in the Quay Sports Betting Office Race.
