Today’s Irish raiders at the Festival — race by race
This year’s juvenile division has come under severe scrutiny, with the Irish four-year-olds beating each other at home all season. The talented Ivanovich Gorbatov, forgiven his defeat at Leopardstown, could be the one to land the spoils. The ground went against him in the Grade One Spring Hurdle and he should be seen in a better light on a quicker surface.
Footpad landed that contest and is in with a chance, albeit all his runs have come on soft or heavy. The highly regarded Let’s Dance is without a win coming into the race but has placed in good company.landed a Grade Two at Leopardstown and had some good horses in behind.
: Ivanovich Gorbatov
: Let’s Dance
Blue Hellwon with a bit in hand at Fairyhouse the last day, with Diamond King, a winner here earlier this week, in behind. He runs off a nice weight, and looks a leading contender in a typically hot renewal.
Henry Higgins has plenty of experience in big field handicaps and that should stand him in good stead.
: Blue Hell
: Henry Higgins
Gangster, a facile winner on his last two starts, looks the best of the Mullins team. He is reportedly going very well at home and should be primed for this, though quicker ground may not bring out the best in him.
Bleu Et Rouge, from the same stable, may have surprised a few with his win at the top level the last day, but not his trainer. That was on bottomless ground over two miles two, so a step up to three miles should be well within his reach.
Up For Review beat the promising Jetstream Jack comfortably on his penultimate start, but has a bit to do after his Doncaster flop last time out.
Although Long Dog was winning races last summer, he is a top level winner. He has to be of interest. Bachasson will need to be put a disappointing effort at Leopardstown behind him, but should shape better on a sounder surface. He could well outrun his odds.
: Gangster
: Long Dog
While it may not be the vintage renewal we anticipated at the start of the season, a really strong group of Irish stayers are set to battle it out in the Blue Riband event.
Don Cossack has been phenomenal over the past year and half and looked set to go very close before falling at the second-last in the King George. A Festival win still eludes the highest rated chaser in Ireland but, with the ground in his favour, this could be his moment.
Don Poli won the RSA last season and, while not the flashiest of performers, seems to have stamina in spades. His form may not be as strong as some of his rivals, but he will stay up the hill.
Djakadam was second 12 months ago and should be thereabouts. His preparation hasn’t been ideal put he was mighty impressive when winning the John Durkan Chase on his seasonal debut. On His Own, runner-up back in 2014 and fifth last year, could put up another big run at massive odds.
Don Cossack
: Don Poli
On The Fringe dominated the hunter chase scene last year, completing a remarkable hat-trick at the spring festivals. He was likely in need of the run, which came on testing ground, at Leopardstown last time, so a much better showing can be expected on better ground here. He is the one to beat.
It Came To Pass, second at Leopardstown, is a half-brother to dual festival scorer Lord Windermere. He has showed promise and deserves respect.
Aupcharlie, tenth in a handicap here last season, has been going well on the point to point circuit, and makes plenty of appeal. Current Exchange has bundles of experience, is a consistent performer in this grade, and must be considered.
: On The Fringe
: Current Exchange
Gordon Elliott holds the key to this two and a half mile handicap. Squouateur has done nothing but progress and could be open to further improvement. Partnered by a top conditional rider in Jack Kennedy, he looks the leading contender for the Irish.
Jetstream Jack, also trained by Elliott, was a game winner on his latest start. He could feature.
Willie Mullins is also well represented in this. The best of his team could be Urano, who made a winning return to hurdles last month. The mare, Whiteout, is not to be dismissed lightly.
: Squouateur
: Jetstream Jack
There is a promising Irish challenge for the final race of the meeting. Velvet Maker is an exciting chaser and, unfortunately for him, ran into Douvan this season. Alan Fleming’s charge takes a drop in class here and looks to be in off a nice weight.
Rock The World, a course winner, joins him on his handicap debut. He is returning from a mid-season break, and will go well on good ground. Sizing Codelco has some decent from in the book and, if he jumps well enough, could have a say.
: Velvet Maker
: Rock the World
