Get off to the ideal start with Glenfinn Captain
Tom Taaffe’s charge is a specialist at this trip, two and a half miles, and comes here on the back of an unlucky run at Thurles over two weeks ago.
Glenfinn Captain raced down to the final fence that day stride for stride with eventual winner, Cailín Álainn. The latter appeared to be just about getting the best of the battle, but when the selection blundered, causing Barry Geraghty to lose an iron, the contest was effectively decided. Hopefully, compensation now awaits.
Only six are set to face the starter in the other Grade 2 on the card, the Red Mills Trial Hurdle, but it is a particularly tricky puzzle. From this range, Charles Byrnes’ Solwhit gets the nod.
He has been rested since beaten into second at 1-3 in a three-horse affair by Ninetieth Minute at Thurles in December, so his travels in the market could prove all important. This proven timber-topper and more than useful sort on the flat is far better than that and is preferred to talented, but enigmatic, rivals in Clopf and Jazz Messenger.
Edward O’Grady’s Bringbackthebiff gets the nod in the Inistioge Beginners Chase. The New Zealand-import found three miles further than he wanted to travel when fourth to Casey Jones at Leopardstown and will be well suited to stepping down markedly in trip.
Art Sleuth, none too clever at the last when a fast-finishing third behind Ready To Rocknroll and Moonlight Sapphire on this track, is hard to oppose in the Shantou At Burgage Maiden Hurdle.
Neptune Collonges has to be the choice to take the Grade 1 Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup at Leopardstown tomorrow. He appeared to have plenty left in the locker when falling two out, in front at the time, in the Lexus here at Christmas and can set the record straight. His best performance came in last year’s Cheltenham Gold Cup, third to Denman and Kauto Star, and none of his five rivals now have form on a par with that.
Cooldine is the nap choice in the Grade 1 Dr P J Moriarty Chase. Willie Mullins has brought him along with great patience this season and this will only be his third outing over fences. His third to Follow The Plan at Leopardstown last time was no more than satisfactory, but this tough sort can be expected to come into his own now that he is given a true test of stamina.
Mourad gets the nod in what promises to be a cracking Grade 2 Spring Juvenile Hurdle. A smart sort on the level for John Oxx, he was beaten a short head by Jumbo Rio, subsequently promoted to first, when the pair made their respective debuts over flights at Punchestown.
The progressive Ebadiyan will surely attempt to make this much more a test of stamina than Punchestowen and that could play into the hands of Mourad!
The real highlight of the day, however, could be the Deloitte Hurdle, which brings together Hurricane Fly, Cousin Vinny and Pandorama. It is going to answer a lot of questions, with the nod falling on Hurricane Fly, who stays and possesses a terrific turn of foot.
