Make it Mikael
The two miles and a furlong is certainly short of his optimum trip, but Willie Mullins’ gelding is not short of pace and has the class to get through this test.
Regarded as a possible Cheltenham Gold Cup winner of the future, the six-year-old has had his training problems, but returned from a long absence at Fairyhouse 15 days ago in rude good health.
Thrown in at the deep end in the Drinmore Chase, he travelled and jumped quite beautifully and appeared to have eventual winner Jessies Dream’s measure going to the final fence.
The selection jumped the obstacle in style, but buckled at the back of it, slithering to the turf. Hopefully, compensation now awaits.
The nap vote falls on Edward O’Grady’s Shot From The Hip in the Bord na Mona Clean Air Maiden Hurdle. A useful bumper horse, he made a pleasing debut over jumps at Navan last month when beaten two lengths into second by Frisco Depot.
Dermot Weld’s Hidden Universe can make a winning start over flights in the Bord na Mona Clean Water four-year-old Maiden Hurdle.
Given a spin on the level at Navan, Hidden Universe won three bumpers and looks very much a horse who might well take high order as the campaign progresses.
The progressive Toner D’Oudairies, successful at Fairyhouse last time, can shrug off top weight in the Grade 2 Bord na Mona Fire Magic Juvenile Hurdle.
At Limerick Sweet My Lord rates a safe wager in the Irish Independent Hurdle, having chased home Askanna at Punchestown. Dual bumper winner Dylan Ross will be hard to beat in the Sean Graham Bookmakers’ Maiden Hurdle at Down Royal.
