Weekend tips: Wendrock can build on Leopardstown success at Fairyhouse

American Mike can land the spoils in the SBK Dan & Joan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase

Sat, 11 Jan, 2025 - 07:49

Tommy Lyons

The two Irish meetings scheduled for this weekend must first defeat the weather, but optimism reigned on Friday evening, with Fairyhouse and Punchestown more than hopeful of getting the green light.

Saturday’s action is in Co Meath and the nap goes to Wendrock, who can follow up his Leopardstown maiden success by taking the opener, the Racing TV Club Day At Fairyhouse Hurdle.

The now four-year-old showed real promise in two Flat starts in Britain, when trained by Lucinda Russell, and did likewise on debut over hurdles, which was his first start for Gordon Elliott.

He then went to Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting where he jumped well and dug in deep to deny Galileo Dame. A grandson to a French Oaks winner, he has plenty of class and can use his impressive jumping to get the better of Bacchanalian.

The most valuable race on the programme is the SBK Dan & Joan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase and American Mike can land the spoils. Gordon Elliott’s gelding made the perfect start over fences, winning a beginners’ chase at the expense of Fact To File, and added a Grade Two a couple of races later.

He struggled in Grade One company on his final two starts of last season, and again on return, but ran much better last time, when third to The Folkes Tiara. That run was on yielding going but almost all of his winning form inside the rails has been on more testing conditions and he ought to be difficult to beat.

Gavin Cromwell has three runners, all with chances, and while Midnight It Is went up 12lbs for his victory on his seasonal debut, he is feared most.

Asian Master can reverse recent form with stablemate Tullyhill when they renew rivalry in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners’ Chase. There was just half a length between them when they filled the frame behind stable companion and impressive winner Majborough.

That was over course and distance and Tullyhill initially showed more natural pace than did Asian Master, but the latter finished off to good effect to get close to the runner-up.

The selection will be better over further, but that outing should have done him the world of good and with his stablemate showing more than an inclination to jump to his left, a more positive ride should be enough to allow him to turn the tables. Another stablemate, Mistergif, is also worth considering.

Sunday’s card in Punchestown features the Grade Two Sky Bet Club Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle and this is easily the most interesting race of the week as it sees the return to action of Salvator Mundi, the current Supreme Novices’ Hurdle favourite.

His run behind Sir Gino, on his only outing in France, is hard to gauge accurately but a literal reading would suggest he could be what we are looking for.

His Triumph Hurdle run, on debut for Mullins, was also promising, and he won his maiden by half the track. He ought to be up to this task, though, with the future in mind the fact he sports a tongue-tie and a hood will always temper enthusiasm.

On Lovers Walk can continue the good work of Ross O’Sullivan by taking the opener, the Sky Bet Build A Bet Beginners’ Chase, while A Dream To Share can get off the mark over hurdles despite the Sky Bet Acca Freeze Maiden Hurdle looking like a decent race.

FAIRYHOUSE (Saturday)

Selections

12:00 Wendrock (nap)

12:32 Sixandahalf

1:07 Where’s Frankie

1:45 American Mike

2:18 Asian Master (nb)

2:51 Spirit Of Legend

3:26 Skylight Hustle

Next best

12:00 Bacchanalian

12:32 Kimi De Mai