Leave it to the Lad
Six of the nine runners are previous winners over fences, but it is Jessica Harrington’s charge that created the best impression when making a spectacular debut at Roscommon.
Going off a 7-1 shot, he was far from neglected in the market, Beachdale Lad produced a smashing round of jumping to score by 14 lengths.
He made most of the running, picking up in fine style for the capable Mark Bolger in the straight to slam the well-regarded hot pot, The Real Article.
Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh can combine for a first and last race double with Great Jones and The Paparrazi Kid.
Great Jones, having only a fourth outing and the winner of a Tramore bumper, looks the answer to the Easyfix Rubber Products Maiden Hurdle.
He was a beaten favourite on his first start over jumps on this track 22 days ago, going down by a length and a half to Captain Lob.
But Great Jones was returning from a decent break then and was also conceding the winner 11lbs.
The Paparazzi Kid was a useful hurdler, last seen taking a valuable handicap at the Punchestown festival in April, and has to be the choice in the Loughnagore Beginners Chase.
Mullins and Walsh team up with course winner, the ex-French Alelchi Inois, in the T And V Novice Hurdle, but he is tackling three miles now, after scoring over two last time.
Preference is for Gordon Elliot’s Soweheard, who failed by three and a quarter lengths to give Indigo Rock 7lbs at Hexham.
