Ten Fires can burn off opposition
The seven-year-old put up his best effort to date at Fairyhouse back in October when beaten a short head into second by Academy Sir Harry.
That winner went on to land a Grade 3 at Navan next time and the third, Kennel Bridge, beaten a further nine lengths, has since scored twice.
The selection, however, may have had a problem or two subsequently and wasn’t seen again until reappearing at Leopardstown at Christmas.
Very light in the market, it was no great surprise when he could only manage seventh behind Corskeagh Royale. Ten Fires, though, ran well for a long way and was hampered and stumbled off the home turn. He will surely strip a lot fitter now and should relish both the quality of the opposition and the extreme trip of two miles and seven furlongs.
Hughes can also take the first section of the Navan Membership Maiden Hurdle with Deal Done, dropped in class, having finished a creditable fourth behind the smart Voler La Vedette at Leopardstown.
The second division can go to Jessica Harrington’s Sibenek, likewise down a grade, after taking fourth to On The Way Out at Fairyhouse.
Kempes, who battled powerfully to win his maiden at Leopardstown, is fancied in front of Oscar Looby in the Navan Golf Club Open For Membership Hurdle.
The big one at Leopardstown tomorrow is the Toshiba Irish Champion Hurdle, with a hopeful nod falling on Brave Inca.
He has five lengths to find with Sublimity, on their running at Leopardstown at Christmas, but the gap is likely to at least narrow on a far more demanding surface.
Sublimity has shown an ability to handle plenty of cut in the past, but just how effective he will be, especially with two pacemakers in the field to help Brave Inca, remains to be seen.
Follow The Plan, having lowered highly-rated Tatenen’s colours on this track, is the obvious form choice in the Arkle Cup.
Preference, however, is for Jayo, who loves jumping fences and there was a real swagger about his easy victory at Naas last time.
Dessie Hughes can complete, hopefully, a good weekend with Western Charmer in the Grade 2 Synergy Security Services Novice Hurdle.
He proved no match for Mikael d’Haguenet at Naas, but stayed on doggedly off a slow pace, which did him no favours.
If Limerick passes a 7.30 inspection tomorrow morning then row in with the progressive Quiscover Fontaine in the Greenmount Racing Club Novice Hurdle.
