Frustrating Shield can finally shed his maiden status

Shield, a horse with a distinct liking for finishing second over jumps, can finally find his level in the Centenary Year Maiden Hurdle at Gowran Park this afternoon.

The simple facts are that Shield has been runner-up the last four times he has run over jumps and such horses have the capacity to send one to the poor house.

But, undaunted, Aidan O’Brien’s charge is set to get the full treatment today, on the basis he has a fair edge against these rivals.

The selection probably found three miles further than he wanted to travel at Naas on his latest appearance when beaten four lengths by Ttebbob.

Prior to that over two miles, also at Naas, Shield was beaten a length and a half by Katie T.

That form has been working out well, with Katie T and third placed, Prince Of Lombardy, scoring in the meantime. The two and a half miles now looks perfect for Shield.

The Bumper has the makings of a cracking contest, with the nod falling on Dessie Hughes’ Sub Lieutenant.

He was having his first run for Hughes, and a first of the campaign, when a creditable length and three quarters second to the Tom Nagle-trained highly regarded newcomer, Emerging Talent, at Naas.

It is rather strange to see the only mare in the race, Vicky de L’Oasis, conceding weight all around in the €29 Gold Packages For Racing Rated Novice Hurdle.

This is because there is no allowance for mares, but she still looks the most likely winner.

The five-year-old is the highest rated runner in the contest and, if the ground keeps drying out, will be hard to beat.

Vicky de L’Oasis was last seen at Naas when chasing home Real Steel in a Grade 2 and that was a smart effort. The third, Minella Foru, ran a nice race at Cheltenham, while Empire Of Dirt (fourth) won a Listed event subsequently.

Moonlight Boy, third behind Sizing Granite and Desertmore Stream on this track last time, should relish the extra four furlongs afforded him in the €19 Silver Packages For Racing Maiden Hurdle.

At Downpatrick tomorrow, Willie Mullins’ Most Peculiar gets the nap in the Bumper, after doing all of his best work at the end when second to Gordon Elliott’s Drunken Counsel at Clonmel.

Most Peculiar steps up another two furlongs in trip now and that can only be a plus.

The somewhat enigmatic Un Beau Matin, who may well be best travelling right-handed, is more than capable of running away from the opposition in the Don’t You Just Love Downpatrick Hurdle.