Trafford Lad can jump to it
First things first and Dusty Sheehy’sTrafford Lad is the nap choice to get off to a flier in the Grade 3 Buck House Novice ‘Chase.
A high-class novice hurdler last season, he was only marking time at that game and this was always going to be his true calling.
Twice successful over flights, the selection put up his best performance in defeat at the Cheltenham Festival.
On a surface which was probably plenty quick enough, he finished a creditable third behind Fiveforthree and Venalmar in the Ballymore Properties Novice Hurdle.
Trafford Lad has reportedly schooledreally well in preparation for this test and is fancied to beat Old Si, who looked anatural when scoring first time over fences at Tralee.
The clash of War Of Attrition and Kicking King, in the the Star Best For Racing Coverage ‘Chase is going to be fascinating, with Watson Lake and no-hoper, Supreme Mover, making up the field.
Kicking King took an uncharacteristic fall at the third at Gowran Park on his reappearance and is entitled to be fitter than War Of Attrition, having also had three runs last season. War Of Attrition, however, has been on the go for a while and, except for his initial season racing, has always won first time out.
We also know that Mouse Morris’ charge goes particularly well fresh, so maybe he will be the answer, with Watson Lake, who has never been one to trust, waiting in the wings should the other pair prove they are lights of other days!
Bob Lingo, who has experience over jumps and was an impressive six lengths winner of a bumper at Punchestown in April, gets the nod in the Hibernian Insurance Maiden Hurdle.
If the market speaks in favour of Oscar Rebel, who made dramatic improvement at the back-end of last season, then she can complete a four-timer in the Listed Total Event Rental Mares Hurdle.
