Top Man Michael can recoup Listowel losses
Noel Meade’s juvenile was a costly failure at Listowel last month, failing by a length and a quarter to cope with the 11lbs receiving Habesh.
The ground was desperately testing, however, he always seemed to be struggling, and did well to actually finish so close to the eventual winner.
Prior to that Top Man Michael won twice on the flat, as a prelude to making an impressive debut over jumps at Roscommon.
Sizing Europe is undoubtedly the best horse in the PWC Champion Chase and if fit enough to do himself justice, and the market speaks in his favour, then is easily the most likely winner.
But he made his debut in this a year ago, proved most uneasy in the market and was set to finish a poor second to Rubi Light when that horse fell at the final fence. Sizing Europe then proceeded to enjoy a great campaign.
That leaves us with the Mouse Morris pair, China Rock and First Lieutenant. The latter surely has some major assignments down the line, so the hopeful nod falls on China Rock.
He produced a stunning display, fitted with a tongue tie for the first time, at the Punchestown festival in April when taking the Grade 1 Gold Cup from Follow The Plan and Quel Esprit. The tongue tie is again utilised and, hopefully, China Rock can pick up where he left off.
High-class hurdler Moon Dice is fancied to make a winning debut over fences in the Gowran Park Racing Club 2013 Beginners Chase.
He was travelling powerfully when making an uncharacteristic blunder four out, paying the ultimate penalty, in the conditions hurdle won by Tarla at Roscommon in August.
At Tipperary tomorrow Rebel Fitz has to get the vote to land a spectacular five-timer, one of them on the flat, in the Grade 2 Friends Of Tipperary Hurdle.
He was brilliant when taking the Galway Hurdle and confirmed his well-being with an easy success at Cork subsequently.
Oliver McKiernan’s Whodoyouthink can provide the solution to the www.thetote.com Like A Butterfly Novice Chase. He’s the hightest rated and was bowling along merrily in front in the Kerry National at Listowel when falling at the fourth last.
