Houdini favourite to escape with Power prize
The ultra-competitive handicap is a possibility for Davy Fitzgerald’s charge along with the Coral Welsh National and he would not be picking up a big one out of turn.
He was disqualified and subsequently placed second in the Cork Grand National and then took the same position in the Troytown Handicap Chase.
“Operation Houdini’s next run will be either in the Paddy Power Chase or the Welsh National at Chepstow,” said Fitzgerald.
“He is crying out for further than three miles – all he does is stay – and it all depends upon the ground.
“If it was testing at Leopardstown, he’d go for the Paddy Power and if it’s not, he’ll go to Chepstow.”
Fitzgerald forgives his charge his defeat in the Troytown, when he only went down by a length to Notre Pere.
“He was just unlucky to get a bit close to the last two and if he had winged them, I think that he would have won,” he added.
“The winner is a classy horse, admittedly giving mine a lot of weight, but we were a bit unlucky.
“Houdini is very consistent and seems to only be improving with every run and I hope that one day he’ll make up into an English National horse.
“He’s on a nice mark in Ireland for the Paddy Power off 126 now in a 0-145 race and I still think that he’s well-handicapped, but he needs to get his head in front.
“He’ll have a little breather for three or four weeks until Christmas and we’ll just freshen him up.”
Tony Martin has plenty of arrows to choose from for the race.
Patsy Hall ran over hurdles last weekend while the trainer said: “Hold The Pin ran well last week when fifth in the Troytown and the first two will get a penalty.
“With a bit of luck, he will improve a bit after last time and he was also hampered a bit and he might be good enough to beat the third and fourth. Definitely he could end up in the Paddy Power Chase.
“Ross River is a maybe – he’s back on the scene although it’s doubtful as it might come a bit quick but he’s entered.”
Paddy Power Chase, sponsors bet: 10-1 Operation Houdini, 12-1 Patsy Hall, Polmar, Hoopy, Callherwhatulike, 14-1 Hairy Molly, Sky’s The Limit, Chelsea Harbour, 16-1 Emma Jane, Arbor Supreme, Parsons Pistol, Sonnyanjoe, Officier De Reserve, Nor’Nor’East, Well Run, Baily Breeze, Ambobo, The Halfway Bar, 20-1 bar.
Cashmans bet: 12 Operation Houdini, Patsy Hall, Polmar, Hoopy, Callherwhatyoulike, 14 Hairy Molly, Skys The Limit, Chelsea Harbour, 16 Emma Jane, Arbor Supreme, Parsons Pistol, Sonnyanjoe, Officier De Reserve, Nor Nor East, Well Run, Baily Breeze, Ambobo, The Halfway Bar, 20 Ballytrim, Alright Now M'Lad
