Drop in trip can help Haymount and Ruby Walsh claim weak contest at Gowran Park
On evidence of his last run, the drop back to two miles doesn’t seem an obvious plus, but this looks quite a weak contest and if his jockey, Ruby Walsh, chooses to take control of the race early he should prove very hard to pass.
Alamein and Double Island have the form to suggest they can reach the frame, but it’ll be no surprise if point winner Hard To Call provides the biggest threat, on his track debut.
Naas hosts a very good card tomorrow afternoon, and the nap goes to Fairly Legal in the Naas Supporters Handicap Hurdle.
The Robert Tyner-trained six-year-old caught the eye in defeat on his track debut at Cork back in November, and again ran very well when just touched off by Hurry Henry next time out.
Making it third time lucky over hurdles, he travelled strongly over tomorrow’s course and distance, and picked up well to see off Call It Magic with a little to spare.
An opening mark of 129 looks reasonable for a horse of his potential, and he can prove too strong for his rivals, headed by French-import Pistol Park, having his first start for Alan Fleming.
Tyner also has very strong claims in the opening race, in which his Gurteen can see off a small but select bunch.
On his racecourse debut the six-year-old was a well beaten but honourable second behind Supreme Novices’ Hurdle favourite Min, before landing a tidy gamble in a bumper at Leopardstown.
Back over hurdles for his most recent outing, he readily accounted for subsequent maiden hurdle winner De Plotting Shed.
He needs to improve further, but it seems safe to assume there is plenty more to come, and he can progress past useful sorts Royal Caviar and Attribution.
Tell Us More gets the nod in the Grade Three Novice Chase over two and a half miles.
Willie Mullins’ horse was a beaten favourite on his return, at Leopardstown, but made amends at Gowran, despite jumping markedly to the left.
He was on the way to a follow-up success at Navan last month until falling at the second-last in a race won by Sambremont.
The former point to point winner looks nicely progressive and, despite being beaten in both track races beyond two and a quarter miles, the trip ought not be an issue.
He is preferred to perennial bridesmaid Rule The World, who surely deserves a breakthrough success over fences.
Call It Magic looks the one to beat in the three-mile maiden hurdle, but I prefer to take a chance on Allenstown Kid, who should relish the significant step up in trip.
Campaigned over two miles in two bumpers and a maiden hurdle, he looks short of pace for those demands but the promising six-year-old should be seen in a better light now that the emphasis will be on stamina.
He has something to find with Call It Magic on form, but will appreciate the trip, and looks a good value bet to upset the likely favourite.
