Star can run rivals ragged
A more than useful sort on the flat, she made an excellent start over jumps at Thurles in November and can take this step up in grade in her stride.
The daughter of Galileo was soon in front that day and made the rest of the running to score unextended by 16 lengths.
The form is clearly ordinary, but she revels in testing conditions and should prove hard to peg back.
Michael Cullen’s Belle Brook has to be rated the main danger. After landing her maiden at Thurles, she was in far better company subsequently when chasing home the ultra-smart Our Girl Salley at Fairyhouse in a Listed race.
The feature is the Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle and there is little doubt that the best horse in the contest is Willie Mullins’ Bishopsfurze.
He has a real engine, but the big doubt continues to be his jumping technique. Bishopsfurze beat Start Me Up by eight lengths at Thurles three weeks ago but, not for the first time, was inclined to guess at some of his obstacles.
Bottom line is that if the six-year-old produces a decent round of hurdling then he will make short work of this opposition.
A chance, however, is taken with Charles Byrnes’ progressive Fists Of Fury against the likely hot-pot.
He was no match for another Mullins inmate, Gagewell Flyer, at Naas, going down by four lengths. Gagewell Flyer boosted the form when delivering again at Punchestown on Sunday.
The Kilcash Chase is just about as tricky as it gets and it is possible to find fault with all eight runners. The nod falls on Willie Mullins’ Dooneys Gate, who ran well on his reappearance when fourth in the handicap won by Rare Bob at Leopardstown.
Tyrone Golden Rain, a cracking point-to-pointer, is obviously a live one in the Demesne Maiden Hunters Chase.
