Aughaloot poised to follow up
He made a winning debut over flights at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day and can be expected to build on that promising start.
Mind you it is obviously disconcerting the form hasn’t been working out very well, with the second, third, fourth and fifth all getting beaten in the meantime.
At Fairyhouse the selection had a length and a half to spare over the modest Lord Redsgirth, but that doesn’t tell the full story.
Aughaloor only saw daylight late, but once the opportunity presented itself, he quickened away in style.
The likelihood is he is a lot better than the bare result and, hopefully, such thinking will prove correct!
Mullins can also supply the answer to the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle with Dare To Doubt.
She went off a warm favourite at Cork in December and looked sure to score for most of the straight.
Disappointingly, however, the seven-year-old didn’t find anything like she threatened to do when asked by Paul Townend and was beaten two and a half lengths into second by Foildubh.
For the moment she is entitled to the benefit of the doubt, on the basis that an extra three furlongs now may be just what’s required and also the fact Foildubh went in again next time.
Healys Bar is the best horse in the Greenmount Beginners Chase, but has failed to deliver far too often for comfort and is passed over.
The vote falls on Big Secret, who would have won a moderate contest by a long way at Thurles, but for departing at the final fence.
