Massasoit stays all day and will love the trip and the ground
I have three rides, so let’s start with Silverburn in the Boylesports’ Gold Cup. It would be ridiculous for me to go making too strong a case for him in such a competitive contest, but I do expect a big performance all the same.
We know he has a lot to find with hot-pot, Imperial Commander, on Paddy Power running here last time. Imperial Commander won that well and Silverburn and could only manage sixth.
We were beaten almost 22 lengths and, in theory at least, cannot hope to reverse the placings. But racing is never that simple.
Silverburn overjumped the first and we got shuffled well back. We did make up the ground easily enough, but it was far from ideal.
Then he ploughed into the second last and whatever chance he had that stage was well and truly gone. Mistake or no mistake, he wouldn’t have won anyway.
In truth my horse would not have troubled the first two, but might have finished third. Imperial Commander went up 13lbs and Silverburn is that much better in with him. I expect my lad to run a cracker.
I team up with Celestial Halo in the Grade 2 hurdle and this is a contest which can be best described as fiercely competitive. He won the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham last season and is a good horse.
That said, however, he has to step up a fair bit on his form, if he is going to be involved against some of the best hurdlers around at the moment.
He ran as a full horse last campaign and has since been cut, which should help. Also, he came off the flat and went straight over hurdles, so never really had a break.
The four-year-old has freshened and strengthened up a lot over the summer. Whatever way you look at it, however, the likes of Celestial Halo, Katchit, Crack Away Jack and Chomba Womba all have Binocular to beat.
He slammed Celestial Halo by seven lengths at the Grand National meeting at Aintree. Admittedly, that track would not bring out the best in my horse, but Binocular beat us in a canter.
Silverburn and Celestial Halo are in two particularly difficult contests, so you’d be inclined to assume my best opportunity comes aboard Massasoit in the concluding novices’ hurdle.
I rode him to beat On Raglan Road by eight lengths at Aintree in October and he absolutely bolted in. Massasoit stays all day and will love the trip and the ground.
I’m aware Diamond Harry is smart, but the reason Massasoit is probably my best is that he has only one to beat, whereas you can find loads of dangers to the other pair!
I’m off to see my southern friends at Cork tomorrow and have to be reasonably confident about getting among the winners, especially on Pomme Tiepy in the three mile Grade 3 Hurdle.
This is a good mare, who did well to win over two and a quarter miles at Fairyhouse last time. She is working really nicely and is in good nick right now.
Of course Pomme Tiepy has a tendency to jump to the right and, on that basis, is better travelling left-handed. She will probably behave that way again, but there’s nothing we can do about it.
The handicapper’s ratings tell me Scotsirish has a bit to find in the Grade 2 Chase. You’d have to respect that, but I still believe Scotsirish won’t be far away.
I rode him in the Fortria Chase at Navan and he got very tired in the closing stages. Then he clearly failed to stay three miles at Thurles last time.
Scotsirish improved a lot from Navan to Thurles and will be even fitter again now. There should be plenty of pace in the race and I’d be hoping to be right in the mix at the death.
My only other ride is aboard Dooneys Gate in the two mile handicap hurdle. He’s a hard horse to train and to keep sound, but is more than useful on his day.
He is currently rated 116 over hurdles and all I’ll say is has the capacity to be a lot better than that.
Let’s have a quick glance at Navan tomorrow. There may be only three in the Barry and Sandra Kelly Hurdle, but no one should miss Pandorama taking on Mikael d’Haguenet.
I know all of Ireland are talking about Pandorama and he has looked a superstar so far. I will, though, be most disappointed if Mikael doesn’t get him off the bridle.
I told you here about Willie Mullins’ horse before he made his Irish debut at Navan. He lived up to our expectations that day with a smooth victory in the hands of Paul Townend.
He certainly hasn’t gone backwards in the meantime and is just one I really like. I’ll be watching with more than a little interest at Cork and won’t fall down if Paul produces him to beat Pandorama!
Shakervilz, a bit like Scotsirish, could defy the handicapper’s ratings in the Grade 2 hurdle over two and a half miles, while I’d be cocky enough regarding Jayo’s prospects in the beginners chase.
