Try Trifolium
Yesterday’s meeting was cancelled due to waterlogging and the fate of today’s eight-race card, which now opens with the listed Grabel Mares Hurdle (transferred from yesterday) will be decided by an 8am inspection.
Officially rated 147, Trifolium was one of last season’s top novices — a Grade 2 winner over today’s course and distance in February — before finishing in the frame in Grade 1 events at both Cheltenham and Punchestown.
He was beaten less than two lengths when third behind Cinders And Ashes and Darlan in the Supreme Novices in Cheltenham before being turned over at 4/7 in Punchestown’s Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle at Punchestown, beaten a half-length by Alderwood.
Trainer Charles Byrnes has found an ideal race to launch Trifolium’s season. And, having achieved each of his five career successes in soft or heavy ground, Davy Russell’s mount appear to have a straight-forward task.
The other banker bet on today’s card is the Mouse Morris-trained Baily Green in the Grade 3 Buck House Novice Chase.
An enthusiastic, front-running novice, Baily Green is bidding for a six-timer, having recorded chases wins at Roscommon (three) and Limerick during the summer, in addition to landing a handicap hurdle in Killatrney.
Regarded as a good ground horse, the six-year-old handled a heavy surface when slamming House Rules in Roscommon last time. He should leave his rivals a merry dance here.
