Gars Bar Dine can get off the mark over shorter trip at Fairyhouse
The five-year-old finished in the first four in seven of his nine starts over hurdles in his native France, but has taken a little time to warm to his task since his arrival in Ireland.
However, he has been highly tried since arriving, and two of his last three outings were in novice hurdle company, one of which was a Grade Two won by Min.
Back in maiden company last time, he fared much better, finishing third of 13 behind Vigil. With only Coeur Joyeux separating them, it was a pretty smart effort, and a similar display over this two-furlong longer trip should be enough to see him home in front.
Seven Nation Army can take the opening race for Henry De Bromhead. Twice a winner in bumpers for David Pipe, including when beating Joshua Lane in a listed contest, he was consistent in five starts over hurdles for Tom George, but, frustratingly for his supporters, finished runner-up on four of those occasions.
He has had just one run since joining De Bromhead, but was far from disgraced when eighth in a Navan maiden which was won by the smart Anibale Fly, and in which the exciting Sutton Place finished third.
That was in December, and he has been given plenty of time since. The seven-year-old has a rating of 120 over hurdles and, even disregarding his potential to improve for connections, running to that mark should be good enough this afternoon.
Be The Hero looks the most obvious danger, though two miles may not be enough of a test for that rival. He ran well when second to his stable companion, Woodford Island, over two-miles-seven at Navan in June, but found things happening all too quickly when a modest fourth behind Peace N’ Milan in a two-mile bumper at Clonmel next time.
A return to hurdling should suit and, as it doesn’t look the strongest of races, he should be very hard to keep out of the frame.
The beginners chase can go the way of Fine Article. Paul Nolan’s horse finished third behind Kansas City Chief in a race in which Hurricane Darwin was on the way to victory until falling at the last. The selection was hampered by the faller and it may have cost him second place, but he should make amends this time.
A smart sort over hurdles, he hasn’t reached that level thus far over fences, and probably won’t need to today. In an uncompetitive race he can prove too smart for Dallas Cowboy and High In The Clouds.
