Augustin should prove tough to beat in bumper
While Willie and Patrick Mullins are busy with preparations for Cheltenham, this five-year-old’s trip to Clonmel will serve as a brief distraction.
But the French-bred son of Martaline showed enough promise on his debut in Navan last month to suggest that he should be capable of a bumper success.
Ridden on his debut by 7lb. claimer Aubrey McMahon, Augustin travelled well, failed to quicken with the leaders two furlongs out but stayed on in encouraging style to finish fourth to Illuminati, beaten little more than six lengths. Augustin looked a stayer on that occasion. And, with Patrick Mullins taking over in the saddle and likely to make more use of him, he should prove tough to beat.
With a rating of 116, the Liam Burke-trained Coolbane West appeals in the opening Irish Stallion Farms Maiden Hurdle. The Westerner gelding has been placed in his last two starts — finishing third to I’m All You Need in Thurles before attempting to make all, as an odds-on favourite, at today’s venue when outpointed late by Fruits Of Glory.
Coolbane West is stepping-up significantly in trip today, which should help and he gets the nod over Itsnothingpersonal, which might reverse Down Royal form with Tearway Queen.
Penalised recent winners Curraghknock Glebe (up 10lb.) and He Rock’s (8lb.) might struggle to cope with De Benno, third to Toon River at Fairyhouse last time, in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase.
