Browns Baily can go one better
Mouse Morris likes to bring his charges along slowly, so chances are the selection will come on plenty for his seasonal debut at Gowran Park 11 days ago.
The six-year-old was having his first outing since finishing third behind Rocco’s Hall and Oscar Looby in a bumper at Leopardstown last Christmas, the first hint he gave that winning a race might be within his capabilities.
At Gowran, Browns Baily battled on strongly in the closing stages when beaten half a length into second by South Upper Street.
Behind in fourth was Ten Fires, who didn’t do the form any harm when grabbed late by Academy Sir Harry at Fairyhouse last Saturday.
Noel Meade’s Offaly, having a first spin of the campaign, could provide the solution to the www.punchestown.com Handicap Chase.
Fitness is never a worry with horses from this yard and, through far from bomb-proof, Offaly does appear to have plenty going for him now.
He signed off last season with a smooth six lengths defeat of Tasman, subsequently successful at Galway, at Fairyhouse in April. Significantly, the blinkers he wore for the first time then are again being applied.
Jessica Harrington’s Romance Of Steel looks very much the one to beat in the Thoroughbred County Bumper for mares.
She was a shock 20-1 winner when beating useful favourite Fair Ina at Fairyhouse in February and has been given time to mature.
