BRAZILIANT
Roche can give JP yet another Coral Cup win
WILLIE Mullins made the decision to run BALLYBURN (1.30) in the Gallagher Novices’ Hurdle over two miles and five furlongs on Day Two at Cheltenham rather than the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle yesterday, and that looks highly significant.
He was very impressive when bolting up over two miles at Leopardstown last month, in a time faster time than that recorded by State Man.
He had earlier obliged over two and a half miles at the Foxrock venue, and he is going to take a world of beating.
Ruby Walsh rides FACT TO FILE (2.10) in all his work at Closutton and if that is not a clue to how highly this horse is rated among Mullins’ array of equine stars, then I don’t know what is?
JP McManus’ beast only beat one rival last time out at Leopardstown in February but his time was very fast, and he will carry my hard earned in the Brown Advisory Novices’ Chase over three miles.
In the Coral Cup Handicap Hurdle over two miles and five furlongs, BRAZIL (2.50) is my each-way hope around the 16-1 mark with a firm paying six places.
Padraig Roche’s horse captured the Boodles Handicap at this meeting in 2002 and looks to have been plotted up to give JP McManus another winner of this race.
Booting
Aidan Kelly is well worth his 5lb claim as he proved when booting home Iroko to land the Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle last March.
There is sure to be a blistering early gallop in the Betway Queen Mother Champion Chase over two miles, and that will set the race up nicely for EL FABIOLO (3.30) to pounce and grab the
gold.
Mullins’ animal trounced Jonbon by five and a half lengths in last season’s Arkle Novice Chase over course and distance a year ago, and he boasts a record of 6-6 over fences.
In 2021, MINELLA INDO (4.10) captured the Gold Cup at this jumping jamboree so he is without doubt the class act in the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase over three miles and six furlongs.
On his initial spin over this unique course, he ran a screamer when fourth under 12st and giving lumps of weights to his rivals in December. Henry De Bromhead has kept him fresh for this since that sterling effort and having Rachael Blackmore in the plate is a bonus.
Gavin Cromwell sticks a pair of cheekpieces on PATH D’OROUX (4.50) when he rocks up in the Johnny Henderson Grand Annual Handicap Chase over two miles off a perch of 142.
Second on his last starts at Leopardstown and Fairyhouse, this consistent sort will carry my each-way wonga around the 10-1 ledge with a layer paying five places.
Mullins has captured the Weatherbys Champion Bumper over two miles 12 times in the past.
This leads me to believe JASMIN DE VAUX (5.30) can make it a baker’s dozen, as this five-year-old was very impressive when hosing up by 15 lengths at Naas in January over two and a quarter miles. His stamina will come into play up the stiff finishing hill. (right)
Hosing
‘Brazil is my each-way hope around the 16-1 mark’