HE CAN BE YOUR BEST PAL
PALOMA BLUE will be expected to make a successful start to his chasing career on Troytown day in Navan tomorrow.
While the Ladbrokessponsored Troytown is the centrepiece of tomorrow’s card, with local hero Gordon Elliott saddling 12 of the 25 runners as he bids for a remarkable fifth successive victory in the race.
But the feature is a notoriously difficult puzzle to solve, despite Elliott’s heroics in recent seasons. And most punters will be looking elsewhere for more solid betting opportunities.
And, although making his fencing debut, I expect a big performance from Paloma Blue and Bryan Cooper in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase.
This strapping Stowaway gelding has always looked every inch a chaser-in-the-making. So what he achieved in his novice hurdling campaign last season was a bonus.
And he established himself an exciting prospect over hurdles, winning his maiden at Leopardstown over Christmas before finishing third to Samcro in the Deloitte (Grade 1) on the same track and filling fourth spot behind Somerville Boy in the Supreme Novices at Cheltenham.
A big disappointment at the Punchestown Festival, Paloma Blue is sure to be well-schooled over fences and is expected to prove too strong for JETZ, which unshipped Robbie Power on his fencing debut here recently.
Elliott’s DINONS, chasing a six-timer over flights, will be a popular fancy for the Grade 3 Monksfield Novice Hurdle, in which his stable-companion FELIX DESJY will bid to repair his reputation.
But he might struggle to concede 6lb to Noel Meade’s impressive Down Royal maiden winner FIRST APPROACH, a dour stayer which, hopefully, will cope adequately with this drop in trip.
And Peter Fahey’s GYPSY ISLAND, bought by J P Mcmanus since winning a Ballinrobe bumper on her debut in August, appeals in the Red Mills Mares Auction Maiden Hurdle.
That brings us to the Troytown. And, although OUT SAM, raised 8lb for his recent win in the Cork National when beating stable-companion and rival again ROGUE ANGEL, and Irish National victor GENERAL PRINCIPLE will spear-head Elliott’s challenge, I’ll take a chance, each-way, on another of his team, the Donagh Meylerridden WOODS WELL.
Sixth in a competitive, marathon handicap at the Punchestown Festival, Woods Well beat Rashaan and one of tomorrow’s fancied rivals MINELLA BEAU ( fell three out in the Cork National when travelling well) in a conditions event at Galway in August and appeals as an eachway prospect in a field which includes SPIDERS WEB and NA TRACHTALAI ABU, winner and runner-up in last month’s Munster National in Limerick.