O’Grady charge can Lord it
Edward O’Grady’s charge has clearly had his problems, but remains a promising talent and, hopefully, this will be a good starting point for the six-year-old.
His second of just two outings came almost a year ago in a contest at Fairyhouse that has worked out particularly well.
Lord Of Lords finished a creditable fourth behind smarts sorts in Bright New Dawn, Ned Buntline and Mala Beach and, if stripping in similar shape now, will take all of the beating.
Ruby Walsh has been given the nod by O’Grady to partner Lord Of Lords and his ride in the Rock Of Cashel Hurdle, Rubi Ball, will create plenty of interest.
Rubi Ball is a winner of 16 races over jumps in his native France and is now in the care of Willie Mullins, following an absence of 312 days.
He was last seen at Pau in January, finishing 10 lengths second in a Grade 3 over fences.
Rubi Ball has not won since January of 2012, so this will help to indicate just how much enthusiasm he retains for the game. In any case, from this range, he has to get the vote, with the conditions of the race stacked in his favour.
Charlie Swan’s Make A Track is hard enough to oppose in the four-runner Glen Chase.
He made a satisfactory seasonal debut when chasing home Kerry National hero White Star Line at Clonmel four weeks ago and has between 12lbs and 23lbs in hand of his rivals.
Baily Dusk, who seems to have been set alight by the fitting of blinkers, was grabbed in the closing stages by A Decent Excuse here a week ago and is fancied to go one better, with two furlongs less to travel, in the www.thurlesraces.ie Handicap Chase.
* The Island Hunt Foxhounds point-to-point scheduled for Ballydarragh in Gorey, Co Wexford, on Sunday, December 8, has been abandoned due to unsuitable ground conditions.
