Suitable opportunity for Arabella
The selection made a brave attempt from the front at Punchestown in November and the tactics looked sure to succeed heading to the final fence.
Arabella Boy, however, fluffed his lines at the obstacle, got in far too tight and lost momentum. He failed to recover and was run out of it on the flat and beaten two lengths by Magnanimity.
In the context of this opposition that was a smart enough effort and it will be disappointing should Bolger’s charge again fail to deliver.
Feature event is the Grade 3 Beamish Stout Phil Sweeney Memorial Chase and, though there are only four runners, it is a fascinating contest.
At the weights Psycho and Let Yourself Go have just one pound in hand of Quiscover Fontaine and 5lbs to spare over Clan Tara, so clearly they all have a life.
Two and a quarter miles round here, though, might just prove on the sharp side for Clan Tara, so he is the first to be dismissed.
The final nod falls on Quiscover Fontaine, even if he is making a somewhat belated seasonal debut. That shouldn’t be a major worry, with Willie Mullins’ charges in great shape, and he has won at the first time of asking in two of the three seasons in which he has raced.
The thurles.ie Maiden Hurdle has a wide-open appearance, with far too many possibilities for comfort.
Perhaps, a little on Mouse Morris’ Four Commanders, lucky winner of his only point-to-point, may not miss the target by too much.
He appeared to be crying out for much further when third to Bishopsfurze at Cork and Tadhg on this track, both contests over two miles.
