Thousand Stars to shine
The grey is a tremendous money-spinner, is admirably consistent and capable of going a swinging end-to-end gallop should Ruby Walsh decide such tactics are necessary. Indeed, the selection made every yard of the running last time in the Morgiana Hurdle at Punchestown, quickening away in the closing stages to beat Oscars Well by five and a half lengths. Oscars Well is safely held on that form and so the biggest danger may well be Dermot Weld’s Unaccompanied.
She is untried at the top level and has 12lbs to find with Thousand Stars at the weights. But Unaccompanied is classy and unexposed and made a more than satisfactory seasonal debut when cruising to a three lengths success at Naas last month.
The Ballymaloe Country RelishBeginners Chase promises a fascinating tussle between Hidden Cyclone and Shot From The Hip. Hidden Cyclone was a smashing novice hurdler and has reportedly schooled really well in preparation for this test. Shot From The Hip finished off last season with a fine performance at the Punchestown festival in May, slamming the useful Hidden Universe by nine lengths. The surface was on the good side that day, which sways one towards Shot From The Hip.
The ITBA Fillies Scheme EBF Mares’ Hurdle may be best left to last year’s winner, Our Girl Salley. She has been struggling for a little while, but hinted that a return to her best may be imminent when third to Mikael D’Haguenet and Heed Of The Posse at Fairyhouse.
The lightly-raced Vesper Bell, who showed plenty of promise in two bumpers, gets the nod in the Ryans’ Event Cleaners Maiden Hurdle.
At Limerick today row in with Folsom Blue in the Follow LRC On Facebook Maiden Hurdle. He finished with a flourish when second to Turban at Thurles and had the subsequent dual winner, Trifolium, behind in third.
