Taponthego can make perfect start to life over fences at Gowran Park
GOWRAN PARK: Henry de Bromhead’s six-year-old counts a maiden hurdle on soft ground at Tipperary as his sole success to date but since that win, in November of last year, he has run four times and not finished worse than fourth. Pic: Healy Racing
Taponthego appeals as a likely type to make a much better chaser than he was a hurdler, and he can make an immediate impact over fences by taking the SIS Supporting Irish Racing Beginners’ Chase, the final race on this afternoon’s card in Gowran Park.
Henry de Bromhead’s six-year-old counts a maiden hurdle on soft ground at Tipperary as his sole success to date but since that win, in November of last year, he has run four times and not finished worse than fourth.
That finishing position came on his most recent outing, which was at the Cheltenham Festival, behind subsequent Grade One runner-up Wodhooh. He has plenty of size and scope, should have no problem with the ground conditions, and is preferred to Franciscan Rock and Fleur In The Park.
The former made his chasing debut in this race in 2023 and was in the process of making a promising start until meeting the second-last all wrong and crashing out. Since then, he has raced just twice more over fences, without much luck, but last winter he won twice over hurdles.
After those wins, he finished third in the Grade Two Galmoy Hurdle at this venue before being well beaten in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham and the Punchestown equivalent.
It is interesting he is being given another go at this discipline, but a watching brief is likely the best course of action. Fleur In The Park was third in a Grade One hurdle on his final start of last season and should not be lightly dismissed considering his trainer, Andy Slattery, continues to send out the winners.
Today’s Flat racing action is in the Curragh and Causeway can build upon a promising first effort by taking the opening race, the Bermingham Cameras Irish EBF Maiden.
Aidan O’Brien’s colt finished fourth behind stablemate Christmas Day on debut, in heavy ground, and any improvement on that should make him hard to beat, particularly over this one-furlong shorter trip.
The second race, the Bermingham Cameras Irish EBF Fillies’ Maiden, has plenty of well-bred newcomers but if the twice-raced Killashee Warrior copes with the conditions, she will take a deal of beating.
On Sunday, Tipperary hosts one of the few mixed meetings remaining on the calendar and Love Me Tender can continue his ascent by taking the Grade Three Boyle Sports Novice Hurdle.
Willie Mullins’ horse was impressive on debut, in a Tramore bumper, and followed up by winning a maiden hurdle by a country mile. He is just a four-year-old and is conceding age and experience to his rivals here, but his potential is obvious,and he can take the step up in class in his stride.
Sunday’s meeting in Killarney is solely of the National Hunt variety and Wholelotofbusiness can continue the good run of Eoin McCarthy, who saddled six winenrs at the Harvest Festval in Listowel, by taking the Panoramic At Killarney Racecourse Rated Novice Hurdle.
The six-year-old was more than a touch unlucky when runner-up to stablemate Fast Felix, who re-opposes, at this venue in August. The winner has since supplemented that success and has looked better than ever, but the selection is considerably better off at the weights and can reverse the form. Nelson Muntz can prove the biggest danger.
1:07 Causeway (nb)
1:42 Killashee Warrior
2:17 Sparkling Sea
2:52 Bishopton
3:27 Quatre Bras
4:02 Lagoon Nebula
4:35 Gordon Bennett
5:10 Rizal
1:07 Sindagan
1:42 Cameo
2:17 Charasson
2:52 Jon Riggens
3:27 Refreshment
4:02 Party Dress
4:35 Key Witness
5:10 Pallatine Hills
1:20 Whats New
1:55 Daydream Notion
2:30 Aclass
3:05 Thats All
3:40 Cinnamon Roll
4:15 Western Fold
4:50 Prince Palace
5:20 Taponthego (nap)
1:20 Bibe Mus
1:55 Jackmoon
2:30 Stonecarthy
3:05 Kaikoura
3:40 Carried With Love
4:15 Blood Destiny
4:50 A Wave Of The Sea
5:20 Fleur In The Park
1:33 Fits Perfect
2:08 Akecheta
2:43 Deepone
3:18 Love Me Tender (nap)
3:53 Sunchart
4:26 Balko d’Ange
5:00 Gold Dancer
5:30 Churchfield Annie
1:33 Acclamatic
2:08 Coeur d’Or
2:43 Lord Massusus
3:18 Icare d’Aubrelle
3:53 Gaucher
4:26 Drumgill
5:00 Downmexicoway
5:30 La Cote Fleurie
1:49 Galileo Springs
2:24 Party Pack
2:59 Wholelotofbusiness
3:34 Miss Lia
4:09 Mount Ferns (nb)
4:44 Nastya
5:17 Hit The Frame
1:49 Jazzy Rock
2:24 Boston Bobby
2:59 Nelson Muntz
3:34 Oneforthefairgreen
4:09 Dutch Schultz
4:44 Darcy’s Friend
5:17 God Help Us
