Colbert Station can get back on winning track for Valley Chase in Clonmel
The 11-year-old, trained for JP McManus by Ted Walsh, won the 2012 Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown off a mark of 132 and triumphed in a handicap hurdle at Punchestown six weeks later. But he hasn’t won since.
Colbert Station has faced tough tasks in a number of competitive handicaps in the intervening time, filling third spot behind Cootamundra in the Troytown at Navan in November 2013 and, finishing in mid-division in that event last year and behind Living Next Door in the Paddy Power last Christmas.
But he ran a solid race last time to finish fifth to She’s Got Grit at Leopardstown, when slightly hampered on the run-in.
And that effort suggested that he might be capable of landing a conditions event of this type.
Now rated 138, Ruby Walsh’s mount is well-treated by the race conditions and, although he now sports blinkers and a tongue-tie, he might prove superior to some out-of-form rivals.
Top-weight He’llberemembered, in contrast, has been running well and went close against Rubi Light in a veterans race in Wexford last time.
But he might struggle to concede 10lbs to Colbert Station.
The Willie Mullins-trained Nickname Exit is Ruby Walsh’s only other ride today. And, although he’s been a beaten favourite in his two bumper starts, the five-year-old might be capable of making a winning start over hurdles in the Goatenbridge Maiden Hurdle.
Beaten by Court Dismissed in his only point-to-point, Nickname Exit started odds-on for his racecourse debut at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting, but could finish only third to Russian Bill.
And he filled the same position behind De Name Escapes Me in his only subsequent start, at today’s venue.
In the hope that he’ll prove more effective over flights, Nickname Exit gets the vote over Tony Martin’s Sarwistan and Frankie Ballou, runner-up to subsequent handicap winner Westerner Point over this course and distance.
