Ashjar the answer
The four-year-old was in action at the Curragh last Sunday, contesting a one-mile handicap.
Ashjar couldn’t have performed any worse, trailing in 14th of 14 behind No Dominion and Wednesday night’s Gowran Park winner, Gone Viral.
By the time the contest took place, however, the ground had turned soft and that was completely against the selection.
It is best ignored and Ashjar is better judged on his previous outing when scoring over ten furlongs on the flat at Roscommon, beating the useful Ebadani.
His last pop over jumps was here in late May, when indicating a liking for the delights of this unique track in easily landing a maiden.
Jim Culloty’s Vexalco looks best in the two miles and seven EY Beginners Chase. He finished fourth behind Aranhill Chief at Galway last time, but that tells little of the story.
The five-year-old was eventually only beaten four-lengths, after Davy Russell had performed heroics to keep the partnership intact at the fourth last.
Xpectations didn’t quite produce what was anticipated at Killarney 22 days ago, failing to justify favouritism when only third to Collen Beag, but may be worth another chance in the Bumper.
