River can get off mark at third attempt
The Montjeu colt is trained by Aidan O’Brien and he also won this race a year ago with Royal Irish Hussar, who is now plying his trade over flights for Nicky Henderson.
The selection ran just once as a juvenile, sixth of 14 behind John Oxx’s Ebanoran at the Curragh in October.
He reappeared at Leopardstown in late March and was the stable second string. Tigris River ran a nice sort of race to finish fourth behind Fascinating Rock, who went on to contest both the Epsom and Irish Derbies. The three-year-old now moves up four furlongs in trip and, though his long break is a concern, you’d imagine will be fit and ready to do himself justice.
Pink Hat, second to Gambling Girl at Leopardstown, is the one most likely to take advantage should Tigris River under-perform.
Midnight Game is the form horse in the Irish Examiner Beginners Chase and a mark of 131 would certainly entitle him to win a contest such as this. But he really has become one to avoid and preference is for Willie Mullins’ Un Beau Roman, having a first outing over fences.
Un Beau Roman loves fast ground, often likes to run at the front and was successful twice over flights last season.
Gordon Elliott’s Quarton gets the nod in a very competitive Larkins’ Pub and Restaurant Miltown Handicap Hurdle. He went up 10lbs for winning by five lengths at Bellewstown, but scored with any amount in hand and could be the answer.
