Sword can cut down rivals
The lightly raced grey has obviously had his problems and will be returning from an absence of 360 days.
But inmates of Noel Meade’s rarely if ever lack for fitness and it looks significant he is now launched straight over fences on his comeback.
The six-year-old has run just four times on the track, producing two decent efforts to score over flights to go with a bumper success at Gowran Park.
He took his maiden on this course by 12 lengths and followed by slamming the useful Farrells Fancy to the tune of six and a half lengths in a Grade 3 at Cork last November.
Henry de Bromhead’s Buckers Bridge, successful in a point-to-point, rates a major danger. He has since won two bumpers in impressive fashion, at Gowran Park and the Punchestown festival, and the fact bypasses hurdling is a tip in itself.
De Bromhead’s Clonbanan Lad, having a first outing for the trainer, gets the vote in the Follow Us On Facebook And Twitter Maiden Hurdle.
He won a point and two bumpers when in the care of Mikey O’Connor and is preferred to Jessica Harrington’s Operating.
Harrington can enjoy a turn with Oscars Well in the Book New Year’s Eve Panoramic Restaurant Beginners Chase.
He was a top-class novice over timber and would surely have won the 2011 Neptune Investment Management Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival, but for blundering badly at the final flight.
Last season was disappointing, though, with the selection not making the progress that was anticipated and failing to win in six outings.
Oscars Well has, however, reportedly given every satisfaction in his schooling and still has time on his side.
