Good opportunity for Catamount to get off the mark
The daughter of Notnowcato made a promising debut at Naas when grabbed late and beaten a head by Ger Lyons’ Pitlochry. She was then well fancied next time at Roscommon, but again had to give best to another Lyons inmate, the useful Lightening Pearl. The selection travelled really well through that contest, but just didn’t have enough in the locker in the closing stages, going down by two lengths. This looks easier.
Dermot Weld’s Rainforest Magic can become the first horse to win twice at the meeting in the Guinness Handicap Hurdle.
He was successful on Monday night on the flat, taking what had the appearances of a competitive two mile handicap by four and a half lengths.
The four-year-old was given a mark after three outings over flights in January and it is quite possible has a bit up his sleeve.
Weld may also have the answer to the Budweiser Index EBF Maiden with once-raced Harangue. He didn’t exactly set the world alight when a remote fourth to Cherokee Brave at the Curragh, but is likely to be a lot sharper now and blinkers are fitted.
If Weld’s Address Unknown puts his best foot forward then is more than capable of making short work of the opposition in the Guinness Race over a mile and six. He did run well last time, fifth to Quest For Peace in a Listed event at Roscommon, and a repeat of that effort will certainly be good enough.
Address Unknown, however, has a tendency to throw in the odd stinker and, perhaps, Fleur de Nuit might surprise him. She is progressive, shooting to a 13 lengths success in a modest maiden at Ballinrobe last month.
Feature event is the valuable Guinness Handicap and the nod here falls on the John Oxx-trained hat-trick seeking Dawariya.
