Colcannon can get over Punchestown disappointment at Wexford
Colcannon and Donagh Meyler won a 25-runner maiden hurdle for trainer Noel Meade at Fairyhouse in April. Pic: Healy Racing
Colcannon can bounce back to winning ways in the Botanica International Rated Hurdle at Wexford on Wednesday afternoon.
The Noel Meade-trained six-year-old produced a career-best effort when justifying 5-2 favouritism by winning a 25-runner maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse last month.
On the back of that success, Colcannon was again sent off the 5-2 favourite at the Punchestown festival but raced too freely on that occasion and weakened late on, dropping from third to fifth in the final strides.
The task facing him in this assignment looks easier and he ought to get back to winning ways.
Recent Tramore victor Time Is A Thief can give the selection most to think about while it will be interesting to see how Ifiwerearichman fares on his first start over hurdles since September 2023.
Off bottom weight, the Seán Doyle-trained Weaponized gets the vote in the bumper. The Walk In The Park filly impressed on debut when runner-up to Alfred Wincham at Down Royal at the start of the month and can go one place here, chiefly at the expense of the Gordon Elliott-trained Kisuton Enki.
It’s unusual for a Willie Mullins-trained horse to be kept quite as busy as Casual Water but the Mastercraftsman gelding produced his best effort yet when finishing third at Kilbeggan earlier this month.
That was just three days after a previous run at Sligo so a 12-day break since may feel like a lengthy holiday for Casual Water.
A marginal improvement on his Kilbeggan run might be enough to get his head in front in the Discover Wexford Maiden Hurdle.
Stablemate Dani Donadoni can bounce back from a fall at the first at Punchestown last time out in the Rosslare Strand Hurdle.
Dani Donadoni had opened his hurdles account at Limerick on his previous start and this looks a good opportunity for the six-year-old to get back in the winning groove.
4.42 Oh So Charming
5.12 Colcannon (Nap)
5.47 Grey Gardens
6.19 Bella Union
6.49 Casual Water
7.19 Dani Donadoni
7.49 Annie Button
8.19 Weaponized (NB)
4.42 Redwood Queen
5.12 Time Is A Thief
5.47 Demanding Gerry
6.19 Deise Crystal
6.49 Youneedabitofluck
7.19 Lemmy Caution
7.49 Ballinaboola Gold
8.19 Kisuton Enki
