Bolger intent on regaining his old crown
But the trainer seems intent on regaining his crown and, of this afternoon’s 16 entries, Bolger supplies four — all of which are owned by JP McManus.
Nina Carberry’s association with the stable has produced three successes — two on Garde Champetre (2008 and 2009) and one aboard Heads On the Ground (2007). That she sticks with the two-time winner suggests he may not be ready for retirement just yet, but he must banish the memory of a disappointing display last year.
The horse has been to the last five Cheltenham Festivals but his fifth place finish behind A New Story in 2010 was his first defeat in this race. He probably didn’t achieve much landing odds of 1-4 at Punchestown last time out but his experience is vital. He does, at least, come here on the back of a confidence-boosting victory and he would appear to be the stable’s first string, once more.
Stable companion L’Ami finished second behind Garde Champetre in 2009 and filled the same position behind A New Story last year. It’s long forgotten this classy horse once finished fourth in the Sun Alliance Chase (now RSA) and fourth behind War Of Attrition in the Gold Cup.
After a very promising start to this campaign, he ran a disappointing race when well beaten in a handicap hurdle at Punchestown last time out and it’s hard to know what to expect from him today.
The enigmatic King Johns Castle and Freneys Well make up the Bolger quartet.
Last year’s winner A New Story, trained by Michael Hourigan, is in his teens and may struggle to compete off his revised mark. Henry De Bromhead’s Sizing Australia could be the fly in the ointment for the Bolger team this year. Being badly hampered cost him last year but he has age on his side and he could represent the each-way value.
