POOR’S IN RICH VEIN OF FORM
Elliott’s revelation a nap choice
POORMANS HILL must have outstanding claims in the Toals.com Leinster National in Gowran Park today.
This €100,000 handicap, transferred from Naas, looks an ideal opportunity for the progressive sevenyear-old, a revelation since joining Gordon Elliott.
Poormans Hill has won six of his nine outings for Elliott, three hurdles and three chases. And, although his chase mark has risen from 92 to 121, there could be more to come from the Stowaway gelding.
Successful over fences at Downpatrick, Down Royal and Sligo, he finished a creditable fourth to stable-companion Mala Beach in the Troytown at Navan in November.
He hasn’t run over fences since fifth behind Cheltenham-bound Presenting Percy in the Porterstown at Fairyhouse in early December.
But he comes into today’s race on the back of convincing handicap hurdle wins at Fairyhouse and Punchestown, within the space of four days, in late January.
Poormans Hill stays well, jumps for fun, handles testing ground and, with just 10-2 to carry, has a massive chance.
In a race of this type, dangers are plentiful and include the selection’s stable-companion SPACE CADET, third to another stable-companion Monbeg Notorious in the Thyestes over course and distance before filling fourth spot in the Grand National Trial, won by another Elliott inmate, Folsom Blue, at Punchestown.
Theystes runner-up WOUNDED WARRIOR flopped in the Grand National Trial, but could bounce back here while the Mullins brothers will all be well represented.
Willie’s hopes rest on PAIROFBROWNEYES, having his first run for the stable while Tony’s GLENCAIRN VIEW is up 8lb for a recent success at Punchestown. And Tom’s SCOIR MEAR shaped with promise when second to Tongie at this venue and could be interesting, stepping-up in trip.
Former Thyestes winner MY MURPHY looks the solution to the Tetratema Cup Hunters Chase.
Liam Burke’s 12-year-old ran a solid race when returning to the track at Thurles in January, finishing third behind the classy Gilgamboa and Foxrock, a leading fancy for the Foxhunters at Cheltenham on Friday.
And, although ultimately beaten a long way at Punchestown last time, he was taking on Foxhunters favourite Burning Ambition and Gilgamboa.
He meets nothing of that calibre today and gets the vote over Jim Dreaper’s VENITIEN DE MAI, held by the selection on Thurles form.
Dermot Mcloughlin’s mare AVELLINO gets the vote in the Best Of Luck To The Irish Maiden Hurdle.
She might have the edge over the Mullins runner EPICURIS and Gordon Elliott’s mare THREE SWALLOWSNICK.