Lenabane can make flying start
Hughes appears to have his charges well forward, as evidenced by the seasonal debut success of Erritt Lake at Thurles on Thursday.
Lenabane went to all three festivals at the back-end of last season, cutting little ice at Cheltenham, Aintree or Punchestown.
He is a very useful horse in his own right, however, showing his true colours at Leopardstown last Christmas in a Grade 1.
The six-year-old finished a creditable fourth behind Pandorama, Weapon’s Amnesty and Catch Me and was in front of fifth placed China Rock, already a dual winner this season.
Fisher Bridge is the danger, having a big fitness edge over the selection and who will arrive on the back of finishing a short head second to Golden Kite in the Munster National at Limerick. Undoubtedly a talented horse, he isn’t always disposed to putting his best foot forward.
John Kiely’s Araucaria can take the Bunclody Mares Hurdle. She found a bit of trouble up the straight at Navan, before pouncing late to beat Model County Lass (rec. 5lbs) by three parts of a length and can confirm the placings on revised terms.
Got Options, beaten a neck by Spill The Beans at Tramore, has plenty going for her in the New Ross Maiden Hurdle.
At Galway tomorrow Noel Meade’s Realt Dubh is the nap in the Grade 3 Barna Waste Ballybrit Novice Chase.
He jumped and travelled beautifully when beating Sweeps Hill by two and a half lengths at Navan and, hopefully, the rain will come in time to allow him take part.
Start Me Up, a costly failure at Punchestown ten days ago, is worth risking again in the CCTV Venue Control Maiden Hurdle.
He really should have scored on that occasion, but got mugged close home and beaten a neck by Inspector Clouseau.
At Wexford tomorrow row in with Paul Nolan’s progressive Gala Dancer in the INH Stallion Owners’ EBF Novice Hurdle.
He won a modest enough contest over two and a quarter miles at Fairyhouse and looks to be crying out for this six furlongs longer trip.
Otay Kawn, third behind Changing Cars at the Punchestown Festival in April, has to be the fancy in the Kilmore Beginners Chase.
