Hurricane Fly has Binocular in his sights
The champion hurdler of 2011 finished a disappointing third behind Rock On Ruby at Cheltenham in March, but has come back to something approaching his imperious best this season with victories at Punchestown and on this track.
Binocular, a creditable fourth in last year’s Champion Hurdle — a length off Hurricane Fly — is a welcome challenger from England and should keep the hot-pot honest.
But Willie Mullins’ charge always beats him and anything less than an emphatic success now will leave his current Cheltenham aspirations in tatters.
Mullins’ Urano is the nap choice in the Frank Conroy Memorial Maiden Hurdle. The French recruit has produced two decent efforts in this country, particularly his latest offering when beaten two lengths into second by Ned Buntline at Leopardstown at Christmas.
Two other live Mullins possibilities are Zuzka and Pont Alexandre. Zuzka goes from strength to strength and was most impressive when landing a Grade 3 on this track on her latest appearance. She is hard to oppose in the Frank Ward Solicitors’ Solerina Mares Novice Hurdle.
Pont Alexandre can take the Grade 2 Synergy Security Solutions Novice Hurdle. Another French import, he looked a possible star of the future when scoring by 13 lengths at Navan last month.
Mullins too has a strong hand at Leopardstown today, should the meeting survive an 8am inspection, and could well win the first three races on the card, starting with Fatcatinthehat in the leopardstown.com Maiden Hurdle.
A bit disappointing on his debut over jumps at Clonmel, he looked an altogether different proposition at Punchestown next time, falling at the last when a long way clear.
Mullins’ Arvika Ligeonniere can deliver in the Grade 1 Frank Ward Solicitors’ Arkle Novice Chase, which has attracted a paltry three runners. He was no more than workmanlike when winning another Grade 1 at Leopardstown, but beat the two horses who take him on again.
Oscars Well was second, two and a half lengths adrift, and it was a further thirteen and a half lengths to Benefficient in fourth.
Mullins’ Marito and Gordon Elliott’s Mount Benbulben cross swords for a second time in the Grade 2 boylesports.com-Bet On Your Mobile Novice Chase. Marito beat Mount Benbulben a head over two miles at Naas and moving up five furlongs in trip is likely to suit both horses, possibly the latter even more so. But Marito is still given preference, as he is simply a far better jumper than his rival.
The Leopardstown Handicap Chase and boylesports.com Hurdle carry massive prizemoney, but from a punting point of view, as evidenced by the Thyestes at Gowran on Thursday, these type of contests are for the birds. Like Your Style and Inis Meain are token choices respectively.
