Today's tips: Futuramic can get off mark
Andrew Lynch’s lightly raced nine-year-old ran a superb race to pick up the runner-up spot behind RSA fancy No More Heroes on his seasonal debut, but was a shade disappointing when a modest fifth behind Outlander on his next start.
However, running in his first handicap chase, he put up a fine effort to finish eighth in the ultra-competitive Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.
Prominently ridden early, he jumped well for one so inexperienced, but made a mistake down the back on the final circuit.
With the race beginning to heat up at that point, he lost significant ground and would have been forgiven for being tailed off - as it appeared it would be.
However, he found a second wind, responded well to Robbie Colgan’s urgings, and stayed on remarkably well to be beaten only 11 lengths behind Minella Foru.
This drop back in trip may not seem perfect but he won a maiden hurdle over two-three and this race looks perfect for a horse to take control from the outset.
It’ll be no surprise if Davy Russell chooses to set out to make all and, unlikely to be put under pressure in the jumping department, he can raise the tempo from the front to see off all challengers.
Venitien De Mai looks the most obvious danger. He ran well enough over course and distance last time, and has scope for improvement.
He should be heavily involved, but may struggle to get to Futuramic on this occasion.
Tocororo can belie his age an experience in the two-and-a-half-mile handicap hurdle.
Last time out Gordon Elliott’s four-year-old gelding secured a maiden hurdle victory with a strong finish to beat Swamp Fox, who gained compensation next time.
While the form of the race may not be very strong, the selection looked a stayer in the making, and should appreciate the half-mile longer trip today.
A mark of 116 doesn’t look too harsh and, as he brings experience from the flat and yet receives an age allowance, he ought to be hard to beat at a track where his trainer does very well.
