Testing ground should prove no issue for Kurasso Blue
Eagle Fang and Philip Byrnes (left) win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Steeplechase from Kurasso Blue (right). Pic: Healy Racing.
It's a case of ‘as you were’ with regard to the fields for this afternoon’s meeting in Punchestown, which is the one which had to be cancelled due to wind conditions here on Tuesday.
There has been more rain and perhaps the ground will be even more testing than had been anticipated earlier in the week, but that shouldn’t be an issue for Kurasso Blue, who can get off the mark over fences in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners’ Chase.
Gordon Elliott’s horse gained some valuable chasing experience this day three weeks ago in Thurles and can use that to good effect here.
Winner of a hurdle in his native France before joining his current trainer, he ran with promise in a competitive race on his first outing in Ireland, and duly built on that to win at the second time of asking.
For now, at least, that was the end of his hurdling career, and the imposing sort returned this season with his focus on the larger obstacles.
While he was beaten favourite on his first start, he finished runner-up to a horse, Eagle Fang, who reached a mark in the 140s over hurdles.
The benefit of the run should be in evidence now and with Elliott’s team in superb form, this fellow can help to continue that rich vein of form.
Wille Mullins runs four and any of the quartet could be involved. Paul Townend has sided with Ballygunner Castle, who certainly showed glimpses of real promise last season but came up short in graded company.
From the family of Yorkhill, he could be a better chaser than he was a hurdler and, thus, is respected.
The feature is the listed Matchbook 50:50 Graduation Series Mares’ Novice Hurdle, and Echoing Silence can follow up her Cork success.
Last season, Henry de Bromhead’s mare was disappointing on her only start over hurdles and thus reverted to running in a bumper, which she won in great style.
Back over hurdles last month in Cork, she had questions to answer but did so emphatically. This is a significant step up in class, with Chosen Comrade and Switch From Diesel amongst the opposition, but the £410,000stg purchase is potentially top class and can continue her ascent through the ranks with victory this afternoon.
Chosen Comrade is unbeaten in three starts, in a point-to-point, bumper and a hurdle, and was most impressive on the most recent of those. She is a classy sort and very much respected.
Switch From Diesel was a useful sort in bumpers and while she was beaten in a maiden hurdle on her recent jumping debut, that was a ridiculously slowly run affair and thus the defeat is easily forgiven.
The obvious drawback with her is that she spent so much time in bumpers. The ability is there but can she show the same level over hurdles as she did when runner-up in the Champion Bumper at Punchestown?
11:50 Pure Steel
12:20 Kurasso Blue (nap)
12:50 Fillyoureye
1:20 Echoing Silence (nb)
1:50 Espresso Milan
2:20 Charlus
2:50 Cosmo Renfro
3:23 Lough Nigara
11:50 Its Bilbo
12:20 Ballygunner Castle
12:50 American Jukebox
1:20 Switch From Diesel
1:50 Newbrook Diamond
2:20 Plontier
2:50 Sarah’s Express
3:23 Volez Vous
