ROC TO ROAR
Soft ground will benefit Geraghty’s mount Minella and he’s difficult to oppose in this afternoon’s feature
SUITED by the race conditions, the Jonjo O’neill trained Minella Rocco sets the stand- ard in today’s Daily Star Chase in Punchestown. Action at the County Kildare track starts early, with the John Shortt Legends Challenge going to post at 1.20 and featuring such stars of the past as Michael Kinane, Charlie Swan, Paul Carberry and Norman Williamson. But, while the opener will attract plenty of interest, the two Grade 3 contests and the hurdling debut of Samcro will be the focus for punters. And, although often unconvincing over fences, Minella Rocco sets the bar in the feature, on the basis of his fine second to Sizing John (scheduled to school after racing today) in the Celtenham Gold Cup in March. Officially rated 165, Barry Geraghty’s mount is set to receive weight from his apparent dangers in today’s race and, on that basis, gets a hesitant vote. Gigginstown runs three, although Davy Russell is set to partner Zabana for Chris Jones and Andy Lynch. Henry de Bromhead’s Sub Lieutenant, the mount of Bryan Cooper, and the Noel Meade-trained Road To Respect, which progressed through his novice season to win the Grade 1 Ryanair Gold Cup at Fairyhouse, might prove the biggest threats to Minella Rocco. The Gordon Elliott, inset,trained Death Duty, an exciting novice and successful on his fencing bow at Tipperary, will take on the more experienced, 150-rated Woodland Opera in the Buck House Novice Chase. And, despite his relative inexperience, Death Duty gets the vote to bolster his reputation. And another Elliott inmate, Samcro, unbeaten in three bumpers, should make short work of his opposition when he makes his hurdling debut in the Buy Your 2018 Annual Badge Maiden Hurdle.