Raptor looks the business in Beginners Chase
His Raptor is the nap choice in the For Value Beginners Chase at Punchestown this afternoon. The ex-French horse has only run three times in Ireland and shown more than enough to indicate that this is well within his capabilities.
He began by landing some decent wagers in a maiden hurdle on this track in January, before returning to Punchestown to finish sixth behind Aksanna in a Grade 2 in early May.
The selection reappeared over fences at Wexford last month when a remote sixth behind Donnas Palm. Strictly on that running, he cannot possibly beat Byerley Bear, who was right in contention when falling at the last.
But Raptor ran far better than his placing might suggest and it came at a time when Mullins’ charges were still only warming up.
Mullins can also take the New Banks Course Risk Of Thunder Chase with Scotsirish. He is easily the best horse in the contest and, hopefully, will take to these unique obstacles.
A third Mullins possibility is another ex-French horse in the shape of Midnight Game in the Ireland V England Stable Staff Soccer International Maiden Hurdle.
Successful twice on the flat in his native country, he is something of a talking horse and clearly entitled to maximum respect.
The vote, however, goes to Noel Meade’s ex-pointer, Corbally Ghost, who shaped like a real stayer in the making when landing a Thurles bumper.
Thousand Stars get the vote in the Grade 1 Ladbokes.com Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown tomorrow.
The handicapper says he has 13lbs in hand of Pittoni and 14lbs with Oscars Well and who are we to argue?
Thousand Stars was a model of consistency last season, winning the French Champion Hurdle at Auteuil, as well as finishing second there and to Hurricane Fly at Punchestown and Oscar Whisky at Aintree. He was also fourth to Hurricane Fly in the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Last Instalment, who created a most favourable impression first time over fences at Galway, has to get the vote in the Grade 2 Ladbrokes Casino Florida Pearl Novice Chase.
The other Grade 2, the Ladbrokes.com Bet In Running Craddockstown Novice Chase, can go to Whodoyouthink, beaten a length and a quarter by Lucky William on this track and now 3lbs better in.
Cork tomorrow is subject to a 3.00 inspection today and should the meeting survive then Psycho, second over fences behind Tranquil Sea at Clonmel, can deliver in the Follow Us On Facebook Hurdle.
