Chief can rule
The selection was a bit unlucky not to oblige at the first time of asking over flights at Gowran Park and then went off a heavily-backed favourite at Navan subsequently.
But, after travelling well for most of the contest, Are Ya Right Chief didn’t find as much as might have been expected and was flattered in getting to within three lengths of Knockgraffon King.
It is too early to give up on him, however, and the seven-year-old can benefit from taking on weaker opposition and dropping down three furlongs in trip.
Ruby Walsh partners Are Ya Right Chief and has a number of other possibilities as well, headed by Bishopsfurze in the Powerstown Chase.
A frustrating sort, he has been hampered by indifferent jumping thus far both over hurdles and fences.
He did jump beautifully at Thurles on his latest appearance for the most part — until taking a soft fall at the second last, with the contest in the bag, leaving Quietly Fancied in for a fortuitous success. There’s no mystery to this heat, with a clear round almost certainly guaranteeing that Bishopsfurze will win!
