Manoir De Mirande can give Gordon Elliott timely pre-Cheltenham lift
Manoir De Mirande (right) finished second to Willie Mullins' Madness D'elle in Gowran Park three weeks ago. Pic: Healy Racing
Manoir De Mirande can provide Gordon Elliott with a timely pre-Cheltenham boost by winning the William Hill Each Way Extra Challenge Series Maiden Hurdle, the opening race on Saturday’s Gowran Park card.
Elliott has been hitting the crossbar in recent days, saddling three runners-up at Thurles on Thursday having also had two seconds and two thirds at Naas on Wednesday.
Manoir De Mirande was himself second on his most recent start, over Saturday’s course and distance three weeks ago, but a repeat of that performance behind Madness d’Elle should be good enough to land the spoils this time.
The Philip Rothwell-trained Bulgaden Castle, runner-up to Straight John in a Punchestown maiden hurdle last month, looks the biggest threat to the selection.
Second on her last two starts, Likealightswitch can go one better in the William Hill Each Way Extra Challenge Series Mares Maiden Hurdle.
The Adrian Sexton-trained five-year-old beat all bar Dunsy Rock at Fairyhouse last month having been thwarted by Radiator Springs at Clonmel in January. She can at last have her turn on Saturday.
After his Thurles four-timer on Thursday, Willie Mullins can continue his sizzling form by winning the Holden Plant Rentals Shamrock Handicap Chase courtesy of More Coko.
The six-year-old was undone by his jumping at the Dublin Racing Festival but ran a fine race when second to stablemate Western Diego in a Fairyhouse Grade Three on his start before that. If he runs to that level here, he ought to go close.
More Coko is one of only two Mullins-trained horses running at Gowran and the other, debutant Dromard, a Doctor Dino gelding, looks the one to beat in the bumper given Reckless, his likely chief threat, has been found wanting on his two previous efforts in this sphere.
Naas hosts the final Irish meeting before Cheltenham and it could be a super Sunday for Noel Meade.
Colcannon has leading claims in the opening maiden hurdle and stablemate Blake should run a big race in the Grade Three BAR 1 Betting "Better Prices On Self-Service Betting Terminals" Kingsfurze Novice Hurdle.
While no match for Cheltenham contenders Talk The Talk, Ballyfad, and King Rasko Grey at the Dublin Racing Festival last month, Blake was far from disgraced in fifth and a repeat of that effort in these calmer waters could see him home in front.
The BAR 1 Betting Leinster National Handicap Chase, the big betting heat of the day, looks a devilishly tricky puzzle to solve but Built By Ballymore ran a decent race when third at Punchestown last time out and might be able to build on that effort for Martin Brassil.
1.58 Manoir De Mirande (Nap)
2.34 Likealightswitch (NB)
3.08 Galavanting George
3.43 Ag Obair Go Crua
4.18 More Coko
4.53 Hunters Yarn
5.23 Dromard
1.58 Bulgaden Castle
2.34 Shesakindofmagic
3.08 Rebel Gold
3.43 Minority Interest
4.18 Folly Master
4.53 Ryehill
5.23 Reckless
2.00 Colcannon (Nap)
2.30 Blake (NB)
3.00 King Bob
3.30 Hgranca De Thaix
4.02 Built By Ballymore
4.37 Ballygunner Castle
5.12 Poetisa
2.00 Sine Qua Non
2.30 Lazare De Star
3.00 Westandtogether
3.30 I'm Slippy
4.02 Ballybow
4.37 Champagne Jury
5.12 Kiltybo
