Today's Tips: Progressive Misdflight set for take-off in last at Fairyhouse
Last week, at Down Royal, the five-year-old contested his first handicap hurdle, and put in an improved performance to finish a close second behind the experienced Pace And Passion.
Held up out the back in a race with a modest early pace, he made rapid ground to move in to a challenging position from three out but was outpaced when the winner quickened up, and then stayed on again in the closing stages. Out of a half-sister to the useful Abragante, he should continue to improve and if the race doesn’t come too soon, he will take beating.
Another to show improved form last time is Sizing Scorpion, who gets the nod in the penultimate race.
The Henry De Bromhead-trained gelding showed little prior to that runner-up finish behind Comehere Hi at Punchestown, but that was his first run for almost a year and a half and he could be a completely different proposition now than in younger days.
The half-brother to Midlands National (Kilbeggan) winner Ravished has been raised just 3lbs for that effort and, if he can avoid the bounce factor, will surely go well from the bottom of the handicap. The danger may come from Elusive Ivy, who won well in a maiden at Galway last time, and should be a big player back in handicap company.
Wrath Of Titans had a disappointing end to last season but that’s easily forgiven and he should be ready to resume his progress now tried over fences for the first time, in the opening race.
The half-brother to Irish Grand National winner Thunder And Roses is suited to plenty of cut in the ground, which he may not get here, but looks plenty classy enough to deal with today’s rivals.
At best he reached a mark of 127 over hurdles, and that level of performance would likely be good enough to secure victory here. However, he looks set to take higher rank over fences, and this race represents a good opportunity to get off to a winning start.
Only five runners contest the two-mile beginners’ chase, for which Rock On Fruity is likely to be favourite, but Solita could be a value option to cause a minor upset.
The Paul Nolan-trained mare ran well last month at Limerick, on what was her first run since June.
With the benefit of the run and a switch to chasing, she could be ready to make her mark.
