Boulavogue can come good
Frustrating he may be, but there is little evidence the selection is in any way ungenuine and this represents a very good opportunity.
Charlie Swan’s six-year-old was beaten fifteen and a half lengths into fifth place behind Bringbackthebiff at Gowran Park last time and had, arguably, his principal rival now, Sizing America, half a length further away in sixth.
That contest was over two and a quarter miles and Boulavogue is readily preferred, on the basis that stepping up another three furlongs is all in his favour.
Jim Gorman’s Chevalier Country, the only penalised runner in the race, can take the Course Signage At Fairyhouse Hurdle.
He battled on dourly to win his maiden at Down Royal and then stepped into Grade 2 company on this track last month.
Chevalier Country emerged from that test with credit, finishing three parts of a length runner-up behind Kyrie Eleison, and this is a significant drop in class.
Noel Meade’s Street Legal is the obvious worry. He failed to win on the flat for Charles O’Brien, but rounded off his campaign when taking second behind John Oxx’s Alandi at the Curragh in October.
Willie Mullins’ Apt Approach makes a belated seasonal debut in the Easter Festival Maiden Hurdle, but could hardly have been found an easier introduction to jumping!
He hasn’t been seen since finishing ninth to Cousin Vinny at the Punchestown Festival in April, but prior to that was sixth behind Cousin Vinny at Cheltenham and scored by 14 lengths first time out at Gowran Park.
Ball Of Blue, beaten by Mullins’ Layde Back at Thurles in December, gets the nod in the Best Of Luck Cheltenham Bumper.
