Folsom Blue can continue rise up the ladder
All eight runners are previous winners over flights, but it is the selection, the youngest horse in the contest, which seems to have the most progressive profile.
He got off the mark in a moderate maiden at Limerick at Christmas, staying on from the final flight to score by two and a half lengths.
That race was over two miles and what the bare form revealed was that Folsom Blue was a horse of some modest talent.
But he showed massive improvement subsequently when stepped up to two miles and six at Thurles last month.
This was a far better heat than Limerick, but the five-year-old travelled like a dream throughout, easing ahead before the home turn to beat the smart Star Of Neuville by an unflattering nine and a half lengths.
The Midnight Club, who probably has the Aintree Grand National in his sights again, is the one to be on in the Clonmel Festival Week Chase.
He actually went off favourite for the National last year, finishing sixth behind Donald McCain’s Ballabriggs.
The Midnight Club’s most recent outing saw him take fourth to stable companion, Apt Approach, at Tramore on New Year’s Day.
He didn’t exactly impress on that occasion, but will strip fitter now and this is not the toughest of assignments.
David O’Brien’s Is Herself About looks best in the Clonmel Festival Week Mares’ Novice Hurdle.
She won two relatively minor contests, prior to taking a big rise in class when a creditable fourth to Ceol Rua in a Listed event at Fairyhouse.
Ballyburke, who has always promised more than was delivered, can make a winning debut over fences in the Beginners Chase.
He returned in good shape to land an ordinary maiden hurdle at Cork early in January and, hopefully, can now begin to go forward.
