Queens to reign over her rivals
THE classy, Gordon Elliotttrained Queens Brook should make a successful seasonal debut in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Hurdle in Wexford tomorrow.
The six-year-old Shirocco mare, who carries the colours of Bective Stud (the Morans), produced a career best when, having bolted-up on her racecourse debut at Gowran Park, she finished a very good third behind
Ferny Hollow and
Appreciate It in the Grade 1 Champion Bumper at the 2020 Cheltenham Festival.
Queens Brook ran only three times last season, making a winning start over hurdles at Fairyhouse in October before getting within a neck of subsequent Grade 1 winner Skyace in a Grade 3 at Down Royal three weeks later.
But she hasn’t been seen since finishing third to Concertista in a mares event at Fairyhouse last November, which is a concern.
But, if Queens Brook is close to her best, this looks a good opportunity for her. If not, stable-companion Say Goodbye, beaten ten lengths by Western Victory in a listed event at Gowran Park last time, looks the one most likely to capitalise.
Chiricahua, a decent performer on the flat for
Ger Lyons (currently rated 97 on the level) and a last flight casualty on his hurdling debut for Paul Nolan in Listowel might make amends in the opening Download The Boylesports App Maiden Hurdle.
Fresh and a bit free at Listowel, he made most of the running and still held every chance when hitting the deck at the final obstacle, leaving Skippin Court to beat one of tomorrow’s rivals
Rodaniche.
If he relaxes a bit better, Bryan Cooper’s mount should prove up to this task.
And Joseph O’brien’s lightly-raced Fire Attack, runner-up in a Grade 3 novice hurdle and a good second at Punchestown, is worth noting on his fencing bow in the beginners chase.