Shaneshill difficult to oppose on debut over jumps

Brilliant bumper horse Shaneshill makes his eagerly-awaited debut over jumps in the Membership 2015 Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse this afternoon and is hard to oppose.

The former point-to-pointer has won three of his four races on the track, meeting the only defeat when having to give best to Silver Concorde at the Cheltenham festival.

The talented five-year-old then returned to Ireland and reversed placings with Silver Concorde at the Punchestown festival, beating his rival two lengths into second.

Willie Mullins clearly sees him as more of a stayer, rather than a speed horse, and this two and a half miles should be perfect.

It will be a pleasant surprise should Shaneshill not go off at odds-on and it seems prudent to look elsewhere for a more lucrative nap.

Mullins will also supply the likely favourite, Aklan, in the Premier Jump Weekend November 29th and 30th Hurdle.

A Listed winner on the flat for John Oxx, he made his debut for the Mullins team at Navan back in January and hardly broke seat to score by nine lengths.

His only possible danger, however, Noel Meade’s Chancol, fell at the sixth, so it is difficult to get any sort of handle on Aklan.

Chancol’s stable companion, Waxies Dargle, who revels in heavy ground, is preferred and gets star billing.

He was coming back from an absence of 174 days when a creditable third in the competitive handicap won by Stocktons Wing at Down Royal and is entitled to come on plenty for that.

Mullins introduces the Lavirico newcomer, Arkwrisht, in the Bumper. The Gigginstown horse was one of eight Mullins entries in the contest and his travels in the market will be all-important.

In any case, the nod falls on Meade’s Aengus, who seemed to take his time getting the hang of what was required when third to Jessica Harrington’s imposing Moscow Magic at Naas.

lSandra Hughes, daughter of the late Dessie Hughes, will have the first runners in her name at Fairyhouse today.

Hughes passed away at the weekend following a battle with cancer and his daughter has now taken over the licence at the Osborne Lodge yard.

She will saddle Blue Bicycle in the Christmas Party Race Day On 20th December At Fairyhouse Maiden Hurdle before sending out Wrath Of Titans in the Fairyhouse Membership 2015 Maiden Hurdle and Bold Conquest in the Boylesports Irish Grand National @ Fairyhouse Handicap Hurdle.