Pomme looks the pick
This versatile sort went from strength to strength over fences last season and showed she may be just as talented over flights at Fairyhouse last time.
Running over two miles and two, which was on the short side, the five-year-old made all the running to slam Cork All Star by an easy five and a half lengths.
Western Charmer, who made a major impression when outbattling and outstaying hot-pot Corskeagh Royale at Punchestown, has to be regarded as the main danger.
Willie Mullins trains Pomme Tiepy and he and Walsh also have prospects with Scotsirish in the Grade 2 O’Connell Logistics Hilly Way Chase.
He is gradually hitting top gear and gets a healthy allowance from one or two who are either out form or not to be entirely trusted!
Eoghan O’Grady’s The Book Thief should go close in the Bumper, having chased home what looked a particularly smart sort in Dunguib at Punchestown.
At Navan tomorrow the Barry and Sandra Kelly Memorial Novice Hurdle sees two juggernauts in Pandorama and Mikael d’Haguenet taking each other on.
Pandorama goes into the contest as quite simply the most exciting young horse in the country, but this is easily his stiffest test to date.
If coming through with flying colours, Noel Meade’s gelding will surely shorten even further as market-leader for the Ballymore Properties Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
In Mikael d’Haguenet, however, he faces easily his most talented rival to date. The ex-French horse won his maiden doing handstands at Navan and might just be capable of causing an upset!
Whatever the fate of Pandorama, Meade has obvious possibilities with Donnas Palm and Aitmatov. Donnas Palm, runner-up behind Hurricane Fly in the Grade 1 Royal Bond at Fairyhouse, cannot be opposed in the 2009 Navan Membership Hurdle.
Aitmatov, who left a poor seasonal debut behind with a more solid effort against Catch Me in the Hatton’s Grace at Fairyhouse, gets the vote in the Giltspur Scientific Tara Hurdle.
The aforementioned Philip Fenton-trained Dunguib turns up in the winners’ Bumper and gets the nap to confirm he is a decent sort in the making.
On a tricky card at Fairyhouse today, the meeting is subject to a 7.30am inspection because of the threat of overnight frost, Candy Girl is fancied to take the Rated Hurdle.
She didn’t exactly set the world alight first time up this season, finishing a poor sixth to Bohemian Lass over fences at Clonmel, but like a lot of Willie Mullins’ charges is likely to come on a bundle for the outing.
Mick The Man, capable of sinking a bank, even in the good days, will never get a better chance than that afforded him in the 20% On Line Ticket Discount Maiden Hurdle!
