Sports Line can make winning chasing debut
Willie Mullins has made no secret he has high hopes for the six-year-old, who was a decent hurdler, but promises to be far better at his true calling.
The selection, who constantly jumped away to his left when winning a maiden hurdle at Punchestown in February, rounded off his career over flights at Naas in March.
Sports Line made every yard of the running to score unextended by 15 lengths and there have been encouraging reports regarding the manner in which he has schooled.
Chasing Cars, last seen when making a real fight of it with Cooldine at Fairyhouse 609 days ago, is an interesting challenger.
The Grade 2 Monksfield Novice Hurdle offers Judge Roy Bean another opportunity to show he is indeed a reformed character.
Edward O’Grady’s charge paid for more than the odd holiday for the layers last season, but has been a revelation of late.
He took a handicap at Galway, prior to coasting away with a Grade 3 on this track last time. Judge Roy Bean ran right to the line then and with 14lbs, and more, in hand of his rivals has to get the nod.
Feature event is the Troytown Handicap Chase, a contest which offers little cause for optimism from the point of view of finding the likely winner.
The vote goes to bottom weight, Glenquin Castle, who went up 6lbs for finishing a flattering five and a half lengths second to the impressive Our Monty at Cork last Sunday.
If Gowran Park today survives an 8am inspection then Willie Mullins again looks the man to have on one’s side.
His Doctor Deejay gets the nap in the Green Fee Vouchers three-year-old Maiden Hurdle. Touched off by the gambled-on Cross Appeal at Thurles, he failed to build on that when only third to Chebona Bula at Down Royal. Both efforts, however, appear to give him an edge in this class.
Mullins’ Enterprise Park could be the solution to the first division of the Porters’ Saddlery Maiden Hurdle.
He hasn’t been seen since winning a bumper at the first time of asking at Gowran back in April, and this is not a major task on his jumping debut.
Mullins’ Don’t Turn Bach, who only hinted at having ability in three point-to-points - he wasn’t in the trainer’s care at the time - gets the vote in the Bumper.
