Open Eagle hoping to emulate Faugheen at Novice Hurdle in Limerick
Faugheen was an emphatic winner of the three-mile contest two years ago before going on to win that season’s Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival and this year’s Champion Hurdle.
Open Eagle, snapped up by the Supreme Horse Racing Club and sent to Willie Mullins after a demolition job in last year’s November Handicap at Doncaster for David O’Meara, disappointed on his hurdling debut at Punchestown in February, but righted that wrong on his seasonal reappearance at Fairyhouse last month.
Steve Massey, who manages the club, said: “We felt going to Fairyhouse Open Eagle was a much better horse than he was when he arrived at the yard a year ago and he proved it with a really smart performance.
“He has an entry in the Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown over two miles (December 27), but will also have the option of stepping up to three miles at Limerick on December 29.
“As things stand, I think Limerick is probably where he’ll end up, going for a race Willie won with Faugheen a couple of years ago.”
Meanwhile the unbeaten Peace And Co is the star name among 11 possible runners in Saturday’s Stanjames.com International Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Nicky Henderson’s French recruit won each of his three starts in Britain last season, completing the hat-trick with a narrow victory over stable companion Top Notch in the Triumph Hurdle in March.
Top Notch, runner-up at Haydock and in Newcastle’s Fighting Fifth Hurdle so far this season, is also in contention for this weekend’s Grade Two contest, as is another Seven Barrows inmate, Hargam, who finished third in the Triumph nine months ago.
Champion trainer Paul Nicholls is set to saddle Greatwood Hurdle winner Old Guard.
Aristo Du Plessis could take a significant step up in class for James Ewart after winning six of his last seven starts.
Jeremy Scott’s stable star Melodic Rendezvous and the John Ferguson-trained Purple Bay are both in the mix, while Willie Mullins’ Sempre Medici is the only potential Irish challenger.
Cheltenian, Red Riverman and Sgt Reckless complete the list.
Pineau De Re could run over fences at Sandown next month in a bid to redeem himself following his early exit from the Becher Chase at Aintree on Saturday.
The 2014 Grand National hero only got as far as the second fence but is reported to be none the worse for the experience.
Trainer Dr Richard Newland has also given the 12-year-old an entry over hurdles at Carlisle on Sunday.
However, with stormy weather and waterlogging affecting Cumbria, Newland may wait for Sandown where Pineau De Re had finished second to Vino Griego on his previous start.
“He’s absolutely fine, not a bother on him. It was just one of those things,” said the Worcester handler.
“I don’t really know about plans. He’s getting an entry today for a handicap hurdle up at Carlisle but that will probably be off.
“I’m not sure what we’ll do.
“Depending on the ground, he might still go for the veterans’ race at Sandown in early January.”
