Private Policy primed to build on recent success at Sligo
PRIMED FOR MORE: Private Policy & Paddy Cleary (left) win the Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle from Illtakehimmyself. Pic: Healy racing.
Having got off the mark at Punchestown last month, Private Policy is fancied to build on that success in the Glasshouse Hotel Handicap Hurdle at Sligo on Tuesday.
Winless in six starts before that shorthead win over Illtakehimmyself, the Nigel Slevin-trained eight-year-old relished the step up to three miles and showed a willing attitude to narrowly prevail.
A 6lb rise for that success means he’ll have to be even better this time but going a further two furlongs out in trip is a positive while the booking of Patrick Mullins, who also has obvious claims with Tacograph in the bumper, to ride suggests another bold showing is anticipated.
Aine’s Lad, a Thurles handicap hurdle winner in early February before finishing third in a handicap chase at Fairyhouse later that month, can give the selection most to think about.
Joya Del Mar, a horse with a similar profile to Private Policy, gets the vote in the Knocknarea Handicap Hurdle.
The Dermot McLoughlin-trained eight-year-old had to wait even longer than Private Policy to visit the winner’s enclosure, finally making the breakthrough at the 24th attempt at Downpatrick last month.
A 10lb hike for that emphatic 14-length success complicates his task here but an official rating of 98 still looks a workable mark.
The Eugene O’Sullivan-trained Lake Okeechobee, who ran well at a big price at Limerick last time out, might prove his biggest threat.
Torquay Road has decent claims in the opening contest on the seven-race card, the Yeats Irish Whiskey Claiming Hurdle.
The Cian Collins-trained seven-year-old has been campaigned over fences of late, most recently finishing seventh of 14 at Kilbeggan last month.
However, he has some decent bits of form over hurdles with two of his three wins over the smaller obstacles coming at this venue.
He may be able to thwart recent Wexford winner Rich Belief here.
5.20 Torquay Road
5.55 Clash Gold
6.30 Koliath De Couely
7.00 Cholo
7.30 Private Policy (Nap)
8.00 Joya Del Mar (NB)
8.30 Tacograph
5.20 Rich Belief
5.55 Family Getaway
6.30 Lilac Lady
7.00 Annarubyrose
7.30 Aine's Lad
8.00 Lake Okeechobee
8.30 Treacys Ella.
