Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
IT WOULDN’T BE A MAJOR SURPRISE TO SEE HIM WIN
MAJOR DESTINATION can make a successful return to chasing in the Sky Sports Racing Launching 2019 Chase on Student Raceday in Sligo.
It’s the final meeting of 2018 at the Cleveragh track, a seven-race, all-chase card and Noel Meade’s charge should prove very tough to beat.
A winner on his second start over fences at Ballinrobe 13 months ago, Major Destination has campaigned over hurdles this year, without success, and was beaten more than eight lengths when third to Rolanna at Navan on Saturday, when he jumped moderately in the closing stages.
In his sole chase outing of 2018, the selection finished a distant third behind the subsequently disqualified Timiyan and Rogue Angel in the Midlands National at Kilbeggan (off a mark of 127), when the tight track appeared to catch him out.
This five-runner conditions event looks an ideal opportunity for Major Destination – the mount of Jonathan Moore – to regain the winning habit, at the expense of locally-trained Adimelo and Justmemyselfandi.
The opening mares beginners event, featuring the clash of chasing debutantes
Bargy Lady and Dawn Shadow, promises to be a cracker.
In the longer term, the Dot Love-trained Dawn Shadow might develop into a better mare over fences. But, today, I prefer Bargy Lady, winner of a Killarney handicap hurdle in July and, last time, a final flight faller (when disputing fifth position and staying-on) behind stablecompanion Low Sun in a €100,000 handicap hurdle at the Galway Festival.
Such a tumble is a concern ahead of the six-year-old’s chasing debut. But she’s sure to know her job and gets the vote over Dawn Shadow.
Although probably more effective over a longer trip, Robbie Mcnamara’s Matin D’ainjou will make a bold bid to add to his chase successes at Wexford and Tramore in the Leo Mcmorrow Memorial Novice Handicap Chase.
The big danger is Allee Bleue, a four-time hurdle winner for Philip Hobbs, having his first run for Gordon Elliott (inset).