Seabass set to strike at Punchestown
The ten-year-old, last seen when weakening to finish 13th behind Aurora’s Encore in the John Smiths Grand National, will only run if ground conditions , described as “good to firm” yesterday ahead of expected rain or watering, are suitable.
Rated 153, Seabass hasn’t registered a win in 15 months, but was lightly-raced in the build-up to his second Aintree bid in April, having run a cracker to finish third to Neptune Collonges last year.
A very pleasing second to Rock Critic, over hurdles, on his seasonal debut at Fairyhouse, he finished a solid third to Roi Du Mee in the ‘Bobbyjo’, also at Fairyhouse and has a bit in hand over today’s rivals on official figures.
Chief dangers are recent Killarney winner Rathlin and Jessica Harrington’s Jetson, winner of a beginners’ event at Downpatrick back in November before returning to hurdling and running creditably in tough handicaps at Cheltenham, Aintree and Haydock this spring.
If ground conditions remain on the quick side, the Jessica Harrington-trained mare Burn And Turn, which got off the mark over fences when slamming Six Stone Ned at Limerick last time, should prove tough to beat in the opening €10 Admission Chase.
The Harrington team also has definite prospects with Macnicholson, fourth to Moyle Park in the Goffs Land Rover Bumper over course and distance last time, in the bumper.
And Denis Hogan’s mare Norah Starr, raised 14lb. for a very easy win in Ballinrobe on Monday, must be fancied under a 6lb. mandatory penalty in the Punchestown Handicap Hurdle.
