Bank on Benemeade
He seems best suited by a fast surface and this two and a half miles looks very much his ideal trip.
The five-year-old performed well over three miles at Punchestown in May, third to Perfect Gentleman, but seemed to find the closing stages hard work.
Meade then dropped him back to tonight’s trip at Wexford 20 days ago and the decision was fully vindicated.
Benemeade travelled beautifully throughout and picked up nicely for Davy Condon to give Stay In My Heart 20lbs and a comfortable three lengths beating.
Willie Mullins’ Shamar looks the biggest worry. He showed some promise on heavy conditions in the winter, but indicated that a lively surface is what he wants when scoring over two miles at Cork last time.
Shamar produced a nice turn of foot on that occasion, but Benemeade to outstay him is the prediction.
Ruby Walsh, who teams up with Shamar, is a significant booking for Tom Taaffe’s Strategic Bid in the opening Athleague Maiden Hurdle.
Strategic Bid has clearly had issues, not having been seen since chasing home Starkie at Cork last December.
But he gets the nod now, on the basis that Taaffe would hardly look to Walsh, unless his charge was fit and ready to do himself justice.
