Leave it to Lyreen
A high-class novice hurdler, he was only marking time at that game and this was always going to be his true calling.
The five-year-old was ultra consistent last season, producing a string of decent efforts, and it is encouraging that he also managed to win first time out.
His best performance, however, was surely in defeat when a creditable two and a quarter lengths second behind Willie Mullins’ Boston Bob in a Grade 2 at Leopardstown in January.
At Naas, Hughes’ Thunder And Roses, Robbie McNamara is a positive booking, can take the Ben Dunne Gyms Supporting Kildare GAA Bumper. The selection stayed on stoutly when runner-up behind Gordon Elliott’s Bonisland at Roscommon and will surely relish this stiffer track and a further three furlongs.
Feature event is the Grade 3 Murray Spelman Insurance Supporting Kildare GAA Poplar Square Chase and the nod here falls on Foildubh. He is joint top-rated with Hidden Cyclone and there are no worries regarding his fitness, having won over hurdles at Tipperary 22 days ago.
Conor O’Dwyer’s Folsom Blue can shrug off top weight in the DSM Demolition Kildare GAA Hurdle.
His form tapered of a little in the second half of last season, but he is a smart sort, who can be supported with confidence should the market speak in his favour.
Jezki is the form horse in the O’Callaghan Hotels Maiden Hurdle, but may be vulnerable on soft ground and preference is for Ally Cascade. He didn’t, admittedly, have a lot to beat when taking a Fairyhouse bumper in smooth style at Fairyhouse earlier in the month, but seemed to revel in the testing conditions.
