Bank on Benefficient
Tony Martin’s six-year-old created a most favourable impression when taking his maiden at Navan last month and is fancied to build on that performance.
Partnered by Ruby Walsh, Benefficient made all of the running to beat Knockgraffon King and Dont Back Down by eight lengths and two lengths.
The form is working out particularly well, with Knockgraffon King winning at Navan last Sunday, while Dont Back Down scored at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day.
Only five are set to face the starter in the feature, the valuable Grade 2 Matty Ryan Memorial Kinloch Brae Chase, and the two on which to concentrate are Roberto Goldback and Apt Approach.
Roberto Goldback is hard enough to catch right, but did run well last time in the Grade 1 Lexus at Leopardstown, fourth behind Synchronised.
Preference, however, is for Apt Approach, also ridden by Walsh, who appears to be at the peak of his powers right now.
Willie Mullins’ charge began the campaign by scrambling to success in a modest event on this track, prior to producing an improved display at Tramore.
He made a lot of the running, essentially jumping for fun and beat Tranquil Sea by an easy five and a half lengths.
Apt Approach was, admittedly, in receipt of 10lbs from Tranquil Sea, but gets a useful 5lbs now from Roberto Goldback and that can swing it in his favour.
Walsh could also be on the mark aboard Mullins’ Sarabad in the www.thurlesraces.ie Maiden Hurdle.
Second twice in his native France, little went right for Sarabad on his first outing in this country when seventh to Chill at Leopardstown.
Bishopsfurze is yet another Mullins-Walsh possibility in the W T O’Grady Memorial EBF Novice Chase.
He will be hard to beat, if his jumping stands up, but the nod falls on Dessie Hughes’ relatively lightly-raced Frisco Depot, who made a winning debut over fences at Fairyhouse.
