Boulavogue can make it third time lucky

CHARLIE SWAN, with 28 winners already this season, bettered only by Noel Meade’s 38, can add to his ever growing tally by saddling Boulavogue to land the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Beginners Chase at Thurles this afternoon.

The five-year-old has long been a model of consistency and, with two decent efforts over fences to his credit, looks the one to beat.

He finished third behind Baltiman and Footy Facts at Tipperary and then improved on that effort at Down Royal next time. Boulavogue was beaten a length and three parts into second place by Tony Martin’s gambled-on Drumvonvis and that entitles him to preference over Deutschland, who may come on a bundle for his spin behind Merchent Paddy at Downpatrick.