Samain looks set to follow up
Willie Mullins again looks the man to follow and his Samain is the nap choice in a most interesting Go Racing In Kildare winners’ Bumper.
A son of the former Ballydoyle inmate, Black Sam Bellamy, he justified favouritism with a workmanlike display at Punchestown last month.
Samain beat promising newcomer, Cairdin, by a length and a quarter, buckling down well through the final furlong.
The manner in which he went to the line indicated that an extra three furlongs now, and the stiff uphill finish, will play to his strengths.
Star Neuville, who slammed Mullins’ well-touted Champagne Agent at Leopardstown to the tune of four lengths, is an obvious danger.
Mullins’ Lios A Choill gets the vote in the 25-runner Tote Jackpot Maiden Hurdle. Lios A Choill had been disappointing in bumpers, but the market spoke in his favour first time over flights at Thurles and he was going to win with a lot to spare when falling at the last.
Edward O’Grady’s Torphichen, third to Realth Dubh and Noble Prince in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown, can show his appreciation of a drop in class in the BBA Ireland Limited Opera Hat Novice Chase.
The Hennessy at Leopardstown tomorrow has a most puzzling appearance and seems a race for the minimum wager.
Pride Of Dulcote is the likely favourite, but has just two outings over fences under his belt and has no experience of the cut and thrust required for a major test such as this.
A hopeful nod falls on Money Trix, whose prospects will be enhanced by every drop of rain that falls. He made a crucial mistake eight from home, when beaten six lengths into second by Pandorama in the Lexus on this track last time, and is put forward as a hopeful each-way selection.
The jury is somewhat out on Mikael D’Haguenet, after a very poor effort behind Realth Dubh at Leopardstown at Christmas, and he is passed over in the Dr P J Moriarty Chase. The durable Magnanimity is preferred, although he wouldn’t be mentioned in the same breath as the old Mikael.
The progressive Hidden Universe is the choice in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle. He had a soft touch first time over jumps on this track, but is a real talent, winning three bumpers.
Cool Quest gets the nap in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares’ Handicap Hurdle, having made huge improvement this season over fences. She has yet to be given a mark at that game, but we can be certain it will be considerably in advance of her current 106 rating over hurdles.
