BOB & WEAVE
Ashdale found a great opportunity to get off the canvas
HIGHLY-TRIED Ashdale Bob might end a long losing sequence by capturing the Quinnbet Hurdle in Leopardstown tomorrow.
Trained by Jessica Harrington, this dual Grade 2 winner hasn’t tasted success since landing the COLM QUINN BMW Novice Hurdle at Fairyhouse in April 2021.
But the nine-year-old has been campaigned at the highest level, has performed creditably on many occasions and, dropping in grade, has been found a good opportunity to return to winning ways.
The pick of Ashdale Bob’s form includes a second to Klassical Dream in the Ladbrokes Champion Stayers Hurdle at the 2022 Punchestown Festival and a second to Home By The Lee in the Christmas Hurdle at Leopardstown 14 months ago.
This season, the selection has filled third spot behind Sir Gerhard in Punchestown, a similar slot in the Galmoy won by Monkfish at Gowran Park and, last time, disappointed when fifth to Hiddenvalley Lake in the Boyne at Navan.
Ashdale Bob has tended to be keen through his races over longer trips and might be suited by the faster tempo of this contest over and extended two and a quarter miles.
Rated 147, he’s suited by race conditions and, with Jody Mcgarvey again on board, should take plenty of beating.
Willie Mullins relies on the versatile Cash Back, unplaced in a charity race at Punchestown last time but a formidable rival despite being 16lb wrong with the selection.
And it will be interesting to see how Gordon Elliott’s novice Dee Capo, off the track since failing narrowly to stable-companion What’s Up Darling in a Grade 3 at Navan in November.