Make it McDonald
The selection may be facing a huge field, but a solid case can be made for very few of them and, as long as his jumping holds up, he will be hard to beat.
Of course it is always a worry wagering on any horse first time over flights, but Old McDonald will surely have been well schooled and the booking of Davy Russell is a plus.
Noel Glynn’s gelding, easy winner of a Ludlow bumper, has been in particularly good company on his latest two appearances.
Returning from a break at the Punchestown Festival, he finished fourth to Hidden Universe in the Champion Bumper.
Then at the Curragh 15 days ago Old McDonald ran a cracker when beaten a neck and a short head into third behind Shop DJ and Endless Intrigue.
He appears to stay really well and, you’d imagine, Russell will not be taking any prisoners!
Dessie Hughes’ Datokepe gets the nod in the Bumper, a contest which has also attracted 25 runners.
Katie Walsh is a significant booking for a horse who more than caught the eye when third over hurdles behind Cadspeed and Gates Of Rome at Gowran Park last month.
The opening Motivate Challenge Beginners Chase is a race which is likely to produce plenty of winners in the coming weeks.
For now the nod falls on the ex-point-to-pointer, Arabella Boy, who ran well when second to Rigour Back Bob over hurdles on this track at the Festival.
Lucky Wish, beaten by Chasing Cars at Punchestown and Archie Boy at Killarney – both over fences – has obvious prospects in a weak looking Motivate Challenge Supported by Failte Ireland Hurdle.
