Skorcher looks a cut above rivals
Mullins found a suitable opportunity for the frustrating mare Earth Mother at the last Sligo meeting. And, similarly, hurdling debutant Skorcher looks a cut above his 15 rivals in the Corner Bar Ballymote Maiden Hurdle.
A son of Flemensfirth, Skorcher finished in the frame in each his four bumper starts, finishing third to Wave Power at Leopardstown over Christmas, before bolting up, by 17 lengths, from Medical Card at Navan in January.
He had to settle for the runner-up berth behind Western Leader at Limerick next time and, when last seem, proved no match for Cheltenham Bumper fourth and stable-companion Quel Esprit at the Punchestown Festival.
A staying chaser in the making, Skorcher relishes testing conditions and, with David Casey aboard, should not be opposed.
Blackstairmountain, a runaway 18 lengths winner of a Thurles bumper in February, appears to have a similarly straight-forward task in the bumper, the Cleveragh Flat Race.
Since opening his account, at the second attempt, this Imperial Ballet gelding ran a cracker against the very useful Universal Truth in a hot four-year-old event at Leopardstown in his next start, but disappointed last time, when only twelfth behind the same horse at Limerick.
Today’s opposition looks weak. And Blackstairmountain should provide champion amateur Patrick Mullins with another win as he approaches the milestone of 100 career wins.
Twelfth behind Shirley Casper at Fairyhouse on her hurdling debut, Liam Burke’s former ‘pointer’ Dolly Hall appeals in the June 23rd At Sligo Mares Maiden Hurdle.
This Saddler’s Hall mare finished in the frame in all four bumper starts and, with David Russell in the saddle, she should prove difficult to beat.
Heavy ground in Sligo provides a serious test for flat horses. And, with no stalls in operation due to ground conditions, the three flat events on the card should probably be treated with caution.
But the Irish Stallion Farms 2-Y-0 Auction Maiden might develop into a head-to-head between the Pat Smullen-ridden Xtraxtra, which has run creditably twice at the Curragh, and Chris Hayes’ mount Money Trader.
Preference is for the former, representing Michael Grassick, who has a fine strike-rate at Sligo.
