Ipsos can continue on upward curve
The grey is on the upgrade and fancied to come on for a promising effort in a Grade 1 at Navan last time. That was certainly his best effort to date, as he stayed on strongly, at the end of two and a half miles, to finish a creditable third behind Boston Bob and Mount Benbulben.
They are two smart horses and Boston Bob clearly has to be on any short-list for the forthcoming Cheltenham festival.
Western Leader is the obvious worry. He has made a remarkable recovery, from a particularly serious injury, producing a tremendous effort on his reappearance when second to Mikael D’Haguenet at Punchestown on New Year’s eve.
But it does require a leap of faith to be in his corner and the selection surely represents a much safer proposition.
Willie Mullins’ Ut de Sivola is likely to go off at tight odds in the Grade 3 Visit Punchestown.com Juvenile Hurdle, but is hard enough to oppose.
The ex-French horse was impressive when coasting to an easy success on his Irish debut at Clonmel and can confirm the good impression created then.
Bill Harney’s Joxer made an excellent start over jumps when half a length second to Midnight Game at Leopardstown and is the choice in the INH Stallion Owners’ EBF Maiden Hurdle.
The Mighty Milan, third to Thomas Edison and Champagne Fever at Leopardstown, might appreciate further than the two miles afforded him in the Bumper, but is the one to beat.
At Navan tomorrow So Young, who has to be full of confidence after enjoying easy wins at Punchestown and Thurles, can outclass the opposition in the Follow Navan On Facebook Hurdle.
Willie Mullins trains So Young and has a very strong hand through the card. His Are Ya Right Chief gets the nap in the Navan Golf Course Maiden Hurdle. He finished with a flourish when beaten a short head by Golanbrook at Gowran Park and stepping up another five furlongs can only work in his favour.
Mullins’ triple French bumper winner, Terminal, has to face 20 opponents in the 2012 Navan Membership Maiden Hurdle, but this is a weak contest and an adequate round of jumping should suffice.
Other Mullins possibilites are Bagber (Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Beginners Chase) and the ex-point-to-pointer, Raise Hell (Bumper).
