Weekend racing: Sa Fureur can edge Impaire Et Passe at Gowran
Sa Fureur and Rob James (left) beats La Malmason (Keith Donoghue) for trainer Gordon Elliott. Pic: Healy Racing
The Gordon Elliott-trained Sa Fureur can make race fitness count to get the better of the returning Impaire Et Passe in the Grade Two Red Mills Chase, the feature race on Saturday’s Gowran Park card.
It’s 14 months since Sa Fureur last tackled fences – a handicap chase win – but he has acquitted himself well over hurdles this season, most recently when fourth at Navan last month.
In truth, he lacks the class possessed by Impaire Et Passe but the Willie Mullins-trained eight-year-old hasn’t seen a racetrack for 291 days and will surely come on for this run.
And with conditions certain to be testing, it’ll be no great surprise if that lack of recent match practice tells come the business end of proceedings.
Should it do so, Sa Fureur can capitalise.
Stablemate Bally Free looks the one to beat in the Grade Three Surehaul Mercedes-Benz Novice Hurdle, a race moved to Gowran Park after Thursday’s Clonmel meeting was rained off.
Fourth at Punchestown on his stable debut in November, Bally Free showed a fine attitude to rally when headed to win by a head at Fairyhouse in December. Even at this early stage of his career, he shapes like a thorough stayer and if first-time cheekpieces spark further improvement he’ll be hard to beat.
The other graded race on the card is the Grade Three Red Mills Trial Hurdle where the finish is likely to be fought out by Closutton stablemates Storm Heart and Kawaboomga.
Like Impaire Et Passe, Kawaboomga must overcome a lengthy layoff – 385 days in his case – and that may tilt the balance in favour of Storm Heart, a horse who himself was coming off the back of a lengthy layoff when winning at Limerick at Christmas.
Given how many Mullins horses have needed their first run this season, Storm Heart’s six-length win was a smart effort and should he perform to the same level, Kawaboomga may have to settle for second on his return.
It should be a good day for Mullins as Madness d’Elle looks the one to beat in the maiden hurdle that kicks off proceedings while Luciole Des Bordes has obvious claims in the mares’ bumper.
Sunday’s racing comes from Punchestown and the Jimmy Mangan-trained Pure Steel can get back to winning ways by taking the opening contest, the Concept Colours Noel Byrne Memorial Rated Novice Chase.
He disappointed at this venue last time out after a bad mistake at the third last fence but is better judged on his December win on deep ground at the Kildare venue.
The feature is the 1xbet.ie Grand National Trial Handicap Chase where The Lovely Man, victorious at Gowran Park and Navan on his last two starts can complete the hat-trick for Gavin Cromwell. Patter Merchant could also go well.
12.45 Madness d’Elle
1.20 Storm Heart (NB)
1.55 Bally Free (Nap)
2.30 Laxxio
3.05 Luciole Des Bordes
3.40 Sa Fureur
4.15 Champagne Jury
4.50 Happy Dreams
12.45 Manoir De Mirande
1.20 Kawaboomga
1.55 Timesareachanging
2.30 Themanintheanorak
3.05 Wicked Pleasure
3.40 Impaire Et Passe
4.15 King Alexander
4.50 Beckett Rock
1.30 Pure Steel (Nap)
2.00 Kiss Will
2.30 The Lovely Man
3.00 Zeus Power (NB)
3.32 Pat’s Legacy
4.02 From The Ashes
4.32 Soul Asylum
5.02 Jump Allen
1.30 Relieved Of Duties
2.00 Shuffle The Deck
2.30 Patter Merchant
3.00 Lazare De Star
3.32 Dani Donadoni
4.02 Nettuno Italia
4.32 Heldam
5.02 That Danny Feeling
