Captain bids to take charge at Leopardstown

Tom Taaffe reports Glenfinn Captain to be in fine form as he bids to continue his fantastic start to the season in the Lexus Chase at Leopardstown tomorrow.

The nine-year-old failed to register a single success during the last campaign but seems to making up for lost time now, winning both of his starts this season.

He was an impressive winner of the Clonmel Oil Chase last month but Taaffe admits he will have to improve again in Sunday’s Grade One contest.

“It’s all been very positive what he has done so far this season but this is a big step up,” said the Co. Kildare handler.

“We just want to see if he is ready to take that step and it is a competitive race. The ground seems to be drying up and I would say it will be nearly yielding by the time we get to race time. That will suit him.”

Taaffe also runs Cane Brake and Grand National runner-up Slim Pickings, and he is expecting both horses to give good accounts of themselves.

“I’m not sure whether we will go the National route with Slim Pickings again so we will just have to see but he is in good shape,” Taaffe continued.

“He was running a good race in the Hennessy last time before he made a bad mistake four out so he goes into this with a fighting chance.

“Cane Brake has missed a lot of action with injury but he is back fit and well now. Things did not go right for him at Punchestown last time but he seems to be working well and he could run a nice race.”