Tornado can blow rivals away
The Thomond O’Mara trained five-year-old had the distinction of winning three bumpers, at Leopardstown (when beating the useful Elegant Concorde), Galway and Fairyhouse.
Short-headed by Drumbaloo at Navan, he produced arguably his best bumper effort when third to Hidden Universe in the Grade 1 at the Punchestown Festival last April.
The son of Dr.Fong looks sure to make an impact over hurdles and, following a return to action on the flat at Sligo in late September — when light in the market — he sets a decent standard in today’s race, assuming he jumps fluently.
It’s significant that O’Mara has booked Davy Russell to partner Tornado Shay on his hurdling debut and he’s expected to prove too strong for Forty Foot Tom, an encouraging third to Staying Article at Naas last week.
None of the five runners in the opening Irish Stallion Farms Novice Chase can be ruled out and the John Kiely-trained Taking Stock, successful at Listowel, might be capable of bouncing back from his fall at Limerick, where he was poised to tackle Mr.Cracker when crashing at the second last.
Willie Mullins’ bumper team are enjoying mixed luck at the moment. But Alle Garde, narrowly beaten by Munsaab on debut last February and a huge flop when favourite at the Punchestown Festival, should prove tough to beat today, if the market speaks in his favour.
The Ladbrokes.com Troytown Handicap Chase will provide punters with a near impossible puzzle at Navan tomorrow. But, perhaps, the Jessica Harrington-trained Got Attitude, which displayed commendable courage under a strong Barry Geraghty ride, to beat the flattering Wise Old Owl at Galway last time, might make a bold bid to defy a 6lb. rise.
Dangers are numerous and include Tony Martin’s proven mudlark Hold The Pin, nicely-weighted off just 9-11 and the Dessie Hughes-trained Siegemaster, whose hefty burden of 11-12 will be reduced by the 5lb. claim of Bryan Cooper.
The Willie Mullins-trained Fionnegas, runner-up to Dunguib in the ‘Deloitte’ at Leopardstown and to Reve De Sivola at Punchestown — solid Grade 1 form — sets a high standard on his eagerly-awaited fencing debut in the beginners chase.
Successful on his debut on the track before going down to Our Girl Salley at Fairyhouse, the Noel Meade-trained Jetson started favourite for his hurdling bow at Navan recently but made an early exit, when brought down. The well-regarded Oscar gelding will be strongly fancied to gain compensation in the INH Stallion Owners Maiden Hurdle.
