Kerb makes plenty of appeal
Even though he could only manage 9th of 13 finishers at Fairyhouse on his latest appearance, there are strong grounds for believing the selection well capable of landing this much easier test.
The Fairyhouse contest, won by Hold The Pin, was run in desperately testing conditions, it was Kerb Appeal’s first handicap and he was allotted a lot of weight, 11-7, for a horse with only two previous outings over flights under his belt. Before that, he looked a promising sort, landing his maiden in smooth fashion at Navan, prior to stepping up in class in a Grade 2 at Thurles.
The five-year-old ran a cracker at Thurles, third behind Western Leader and Premier Victory, with the subsequent winner, Stonemaster, behind in fourth.
If Kerb Appeal bites the dust then there’s more than the possibility we’ll struggle, because there aren’t too may other tempting propositions on the card.
Tipper Road should run a big race in the Fay Bookmakers’ Handicap Hurdle, having gone under by a length to Castle Anshan at Tipperary last time.
He went up 4lbs, but that was hardly harsh, considering Castle Anshan has since run the race of his life at Killarney, beaten a head into second by Slieveardagh in a very competitive handicap.
Dermot Weld’s horses continue in good form and at Navan tomorrow he can supply us with a winning nap in the shape of Crazy Days in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Fillies Maiden. The daughter of Peintre Celebre made a good start at Gowran Park 13 days ago, three lengths runner-up behind David Wachman’s Barbadine, and this is a weak heat.
Ronan Whelan’s 7lbs claim could prove a decisive factor in two of the races, starting with Purple Glow in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Median Auction Maiden.
Purple Glow was a poor third behind Wave Of Applause and Catalpa Sail at Leopardstown and has six lengths to find with the second. Taking Whelan’s allowance into account, however, she re-opposes on 13lbs better terms and that should at least bring them much closer together!
