Start Me Up looks good for openers
None of them are likely to represent any sort of value, so the nap vote falls on Start Me Up in the opening 25-runner Buy Your 2011 Annual Badge Maiden Hurdle.
It has to be said the selection, successful in three bumpers, has been disappointing since going jumping and was a costly failure on his return at Roscommon last month.
Charlie Swan’s gelding could only manage third behind Tough Talkin Man and Pops Rocket, in what was an ordinary race.
But, despite the number of contestants now, this is another weak affair and Start Me Up, with an outing under his belt and dropping down half a mile in trip, can finally get off the mark over flights.
Sizing Europe begins a campaign, in the Star Best For Racing Coverage Chase, which connection hope will be a stepping-stone to contesting the King George at Kempton at Christmas.
The furthest Sizing Europe has ever travelled previously is two and a half miles, but it would be a surprise should he fail to stay an extra three furlongs, at least in this league.
The imposing eight-year-old won the Arkle at Cheltenham in March and gets the nod ahead of the race-fit China Rock, who won first time out at Gowran Park.
Henry de Bromhead and Andrew Lynch team up with Sizing Europe and can initiate a double with Loosen My Load in the Buck House Novice Chase.
He has taken really well to fences and jumped for fun when scoring easily at the Listowel Festival.
Luska Lad, a prolific winner for the Shark Hanlon yard, has a minimum of 23 lbs in hand of his rivals in the Ryan's Cleaning Events Specialists Hurdle and cannot be opposed.
