Sports Line can make amends
That Cork result was the type which keeps bookmakers in the style to which they have become accustomed, with victory going to unconsidered 33-1 shot, Darby’s Turn.
Sports Line attempted to make all the running, but was headed by the winner coming away from the second last. Paul Townend, however, seemed quite unperturbed and actually got Sports Line’s head back in front on the run-in.
The youngster, though, lost his whip and it was surely the difference between winning and losing, the verdict a short head. Sports Line is napped to redress the balance, with interest.
Willie Mullins trains the selection and can also provide the solution to the Bumper with once-raced Morning Supreme.
She created a favourable impression when scoring by 19 lengths at Downpatrick and is fancied to concede lumps of weight all round.
At Punchestown tomorrow, Mikael d’Haguenet will be the focus of attention in the Grade 2 Abbey Electrical Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle. The ex-French horse is just about the most exciting novice in the country, having produced three superb displays, twice at Navan and at Naas last time.
Kimberlite King, who won his maiden with any amount in hand at Navan, is an interesting challenger, in receipt of 7lbs, but it will be a major surprise should Mikael d’Haguenet fail to make it four from four in this country.
Big Zeb is the one to beat in the Grade 2 Amazing Thailand Chase, having made an excellent return when beating Watson Lake by half a length at Leopardstown.
He has form in testing conditions, but one suspects he is a better horse on a sound surface and preference is for Scotsirish. Willie Mullins’ charge won pulling a train at Cork and the remote second then, Cailin Alainn, scored at Thurles on Thursday.
Sorceror, grabbed late by Realt Dubh at Leopardstown, can go one better in the Kilpedder Syndicate Maiden Hurdle.
In what promises to be yet another lucrative couple of days for Willie Mullins, his Persian City can land the INH Stallion Owners’ EBF Novice Hurdle at Limerick tomorrow.
He battled on in fine style to beat the admittedly frustrating Shirley Casper at Punchestown and is a horse on the upgrade.
Mullins’ Florida Pal will obviously be a popular choice in the Kevin Frost Memorial Bumper, but may not cope with Byrnes Cross, a creditable second to another Mullins inmate, Jessies Dream, at Naas.
