Rigidity poised to follow up
Formerly trained by Henry Cecil, he won twice on the flat in England and made a promising start to his new career at Gowran Park three weeks go.
Now in the care of Edward O’Grady, Rigidity was very light in the market, but could hardly have been more impressive.
He jumped and travelled beautifully through the contest and only had to be nudged out in the straight by Andrew McNamara to score by nine lengths.
Jim Dreaper’s Harpsy Cord is a confident choice in the St Patrick’s Day Maiden Hurdle for colts and geldings.
Successful in his only point-to-point, he made his racecourse debut when finishing a remote second to the potentially high-class So Young at Leopardstown at Christmas.
Harpsy Cord followed that with a better effort at Punchestown in January, third behind Raptor and subsequent winner, Westmeath.
The Bumper can fall to Robert Tyner’s Whatwillwecallher, who looked a smart sort in the making when scoring by 18 lengths on this track last time.
At Limerick tomorrow the Michael Winters-trained For Bill can complete a four-timer in the Grade 3 ITBA Fillies Scheme EBF Dawn Run Mares’ Novice Chase.
She produced her best display to date over fences with a five lengths beating of Blazing Tempo at Thurles and then enjoyed an easy touch at Navan.
Willie Mullins’ Dare To Doubt looks best in an interesting Listed Kerry Group EBF Mares’ Novice Hurdle.
She is rapidly on the upgrade, on the evidence of a clear-cut defeat of Prima Vista at Naas. The third horse, Jim Will Fix It, scored at Clonmel on Thursday.
Mullins can complete a double with Lovethehigherlaw in the Bumper. He scored easily at Fairyhouse and the second, Caolaneoin, has won in the meantime.
At Navan tomorrow Hidden Cyclone, who battled strongly to take a Grade 2 at Thurles, is hard to oppose in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Novice Hurdle.
