Sweeney can call the tune
The progressive five-year-old is trained by Shane Donohoe and looks the right call, in what is a tricky little six-runner affair.
He could not win a bumper in three attempts and appeared to be a horse whose future wasn’t overly bright.
But then asked to jump 11 hurdles at Navan last month, Sweeney Tunes emerged as an altogether different proposition.
Going off a largely unconsidered 14-1 shot, he turned-over hot-pot, Dantes King, by three parts of a length.
Dantes King did, admittedly, blunder at the last when looking sure to score, but there was still plenty to admire in the manner in which the selection battled when the need was greatest.
A lot more is now required, of course, but Sweeney Tunes is on an upward curve and can prove equal to the task.
The Bumper is fascinating, with much interest centring on Willie Mullins’ Champagne Agent and Charles Byrnes’ Shrapnel.
Champagne Agent was backed as if defeat was out of the question at Leopardstown in February, but flopped badly.
At Leopardstown at Christmas it was the same story with Sharpnel, the medium of some major wagers, and he proceeded to perform way below what was obviously expected.
The market could certainly be lively again and it will be no surprise if one of them, at least, leaves his previous outing miles behind!
The vote, however, falls on Jessica Harrington’s once-raced Saluting, a place and a short head in front of Champagne Agent at Leopardstown, when fourth behind Caolaneoin.
He clearly has lots of scope for improvement and, as a son of Presenting, would relish any drying out of the surface.
