It’s Oscar Time for Ruby
Martin Lynch’s charge has essentially been a little disappointing since launched over fences, but seems best when his challenge is delayed as long as possible. In Walsh, he has the ideal pilot to carry out such tactics.
Oscar Time’s latest effort saw him prove no match for Rare Bob at Punchestown, finishing eight lengths second. There wasn’t a lot of disgrace in that, however, because Rare Bob is a decent sort on his day and had been mixing it with some of the best around prior to Punchestown.
Good Fella, who likes to come from even further back than Oscar Time, is the obvious danger, but may not be up to conceding his rival 6lbs.
Walsh also has excellent prospects aboard Willie Mullins’ Uimhiraceathair in the www.fairyhouseracecourse.ie Maiden Hurdle.
Admittedly, he didn’t exactly set the world on fire first time over flights when a remote seventh behind Baffin Island at Thurles last month.
But the dual bumper winner surely hasn’t become a bad horse overnight and is likely to strip a lot fitter now. Also on the plus side is that this does seem a weak contest.
Another particularly moderate race is the opening A Happy Valentine Day Maiden Hurdle, which may fall to Liam Cusack’s Majestic Oak.
He performed well enough when runner-up behind long odds-on Sibenek at Navan and will hardly get a better opportunity.
