Gift of Dgab primed to strike
Usually when a horse fills the runner-up berth four times in-a-row one is entitled to question his resolution, but it is too early to be drawing any such conclusions regarding the selection.
Indeed, you could argue that his latest outing was his best to date and Tony Martin’s charge should now be finally primed to strike.
At Leopardstown last month the seven-year-old jumped and travelled really well, before being ultimately outclassed by the Willie Mullins-trained Day Of A Lifetime.
The verdict was two and a half lengths, but Gift Of Dgab stuck well to his task and it was five lengths back to the third.
Mullins again supplies the worry in Popcorn, who made a solid start over jumps when beaten a neck by Tofino Bay at Punchestown.
Davy Russell, who partners Gift Of Dgab, can complete a double on board Last Instalment in the Course Signage At Navan Maiden Hurdle.
A horse with a huge reputation, he has obviously had training problems and hasn’t been seen since taking a bumper by 27 lengths at Fairyhouse in April.
His trainer, Philip Fenton, showed with Dunguib at Gowran Park last Saturday that he’s well capable of producing a horse in fine shape after a break and Last Instalment has to get the vote.
The Bog Road Girl, grabbed late and beaten two lengths by Dazzling Susie at Punchestown, is the choice to land the Bumper.
