Lean Araig set to make successful debut over fences
Oliver McKiernan’s charge ran two promising races in bumpers at the back-end of last year and it looks significant he is now immediately asked to follow his true calling.
The selection started off at Punchestown in early December, finishing fourth behind the very smart Black Hercules. He was beaten almost 13 lengths then, but 18 days later showed marked improvement at Leopardstown.
On this occasion, he finished three lengths and half a length third behind two useful sorts in Gordon Elliott’s Noble Endeavor and Dermot Weld’s Windsor Park.
It is a contest that has been working out quite nicely and there seems little doubt Lean Araig needs a set of obstacles in front of him to begin to fulfil his potential.
He is well bred by Old Vic, out of Glens Music. His dam won five times over hurdles and also landed a Grade 2 over fences.
Measureofmydreams is hard to oppose in the two and a quarter mile Slaney Maiden Hurdle.
Willie Mullins’ former point-to-point winner took a bumper at Navan and then split two solid horses in Martello Tower and Kauto Grand Mogol in a winners’ bumper at Fairyhouse.
Mullins’ French recruit, Vroum Vroum Mag, successful in a bumper and hurdle in her native country and last seen when finishing second at Auteuil in March, will probably provide the answer to the Kerlogue Mares’ Beginners Chase.
Four of the five contestants in the Join The Supporters’ Club Mares Hurdle have a chance, with the nod falling on Cloudy Rock.
The five-year-old looks best suited to this two miles, having shaped as if two and a half was further than she wanted when beaten a length and a half into second by one of her main rivals now, Mrs Mc Veale (gave 7lbs), at Thurles 12 days ago.
