Ground has come right for On The Fringe
Enda Bolger’s horse produced arguably the performance of his career when strolling clear in this race last year, despite the ground being softer than ideal on that occasion.
He then created his own piece of history when adding festival successes at Aintree and Punchestown before enjoying a well-earned rest.
He returned at Leopardstown last month, and travelled quite well in bottomless ground but made no impact at the front-end of the race.
He has a poor record fresh and on that sort of ground, and thus it is an effort which is easily forgiven. Much better is confidently expected and, under ideal conditions, he can once again stamp his class on proceedings.
Paint The Clouds is next best in the market, and ran well to finish third behind the selection in this race last year, particularly as the ground had really gone against him.
He returns in equally good form, will be seen in much better light under these conditions, and can give On The Fringe most to think about.
Ivanovich Gorbatov can take the opening race for trainer Aidan O’Brien. The ex-flat horse looked potentially very high class over hurdles when winning on debut, but struggled on very testing ground at Leopardstown next time.
He ran better on the latter occasion than the finishing position suggests as he was very close to the pace approaching the final hurdle, and wasn’t given a hard time when it was clear his chance had gone.
Back on a much quicker surface, he can resume his progress, and is preferred to Sceau Royal.
The unbeaten Barters Hill has the most tremendous attitude, and the Ben Pauling-trained six-year-old can extend it by taking the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle.
Unquestionably this is his toughest assignment to date and if he is taken on early, by the likes of Up For Review, it’s going to be tough to maintain his effort for three miles. However, running over an inadequate trip last year on a track, Aintree, which would have been too quick for him, he showed remarkable battling qualities to fend off the challenges of some very smart sorts, including Bellshill.
He is not the highest rated horse in the race, but neither has he reached the peak of his powers, and he can bring his record to a perfect eight by accounting for rivals headed by Shantou Village.
Three times Gordon Elliott has gone very close to winning the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle, and he can make the breakthrough with Squouateur in a race he has admitted he would dearly love to win.
The five-year-old grey was an easy winner of his maiden hurdle, beaten next time, but bounced back with a smart effort in a novices’ handicap hurdle Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.
He followed up at Fairyhouse next time, and that has earned him a mark of 141, which means he must carry 11-9 today.
However, he looks rapidly progressive, has the tremendous talent of Jack Kennedy on his back, and can prove too good for a competitive field. Stable companion Jetstream Jack will come into his own over fences next term, but this race could suit, and he has each-way claims.
