Tharawaat to make fitness tell
The selection has it all to do at the weights, 10lbs wrong with Tranquil Sea, but the fact has a recent spin under his belt sways one towards Gordon Elliott’s gelding.
The six-year-old made an excellent seasonal debut at Galway last month. He contested what looked a competitive handicap and his prospects didn’t seem obvious off top weight of 11-10.
But Tharawaat travelled and jumped really well through the contest to give Indifference Curve 8lbs and a seven lengths beating.
The form is no more than modest, but Davy Russell’s mount will arrive at the peak of his powers and the more testing the conditions the more it will suit.
Tranquil Sea is capable of outclassing Tharawaat, having landed this in smooth fashion a year ago and then following with an even better effort in the Grade 1 John Durkan Chase at Fairyhouse in the middle of December.
Edward O’Grady’s charge, however, then had his problems, missing the Cheltenham festival, before returning with below-par efforts at Aintree and Punchestown.
The Grade 3 T.A. Morris Memorial Mares’ Chase is best left to Shop Dj, with both For Bill and Blazing Tempo now having a bit to prove, after disappointing efforts last time. Shop Dj certainly lacks the experience of the other pair, this will only be a third outing over fences, but was most impressive when coasting to an eight lengths defeat of Our Victoria at Thurles. There is no doubt she is at her best on a decent surface, but handles the mud as well.
Texas Jack and Make A Track promise a fascinating tussle in the INH Stallion Owners’ EBF Novice Hurdle.
Make A Track, successful in bumpers at Sandown and Towcester for David Arbuthnot, made a good start over jumps for Charlie Swan when beating Reizovic three parts of a length at Punchestown.
Preference, though, is for Texas Jack, who created a favourable impression when taking a moderate maiden at Fairyhouse.
Kakagh, who dug deep to hold Prince Of Fire by three parts of a length over this course and distance, is napped in the Prior Park Service Station Handicap Chase.
