Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Recall is the Total package
TOTAL RECALL should make his graded-race breakthrough in the Grade 2 Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase, formerly the Kinloch Brae, at Thurles tomorrow. The Willie Mullinstrained 10-year-old, previously trained by Sandra Hughes, bagged two notable handicap pots last season, the Munster National at Limerick and Newbury’s Ladbrokes Trophy, in addition to availing of a lenient hurdle mark at Leopardstown. And, although he failed to complete the course in his last three outings last season, the Westerner gelding looks more than capable of success at this level before stepping back into top-grade action, when the Unibet Irish Gold Cup and/or Bulmers Cheltenham Gold Cup could be on his agenda. Total Recall won the Munster National off 129 and the Ladbrokes Trophy off 147, earning a crack at the Gold Cup in Cheltenham, where he was still travelling well on the heels of the leaders, when falling three from home. He was subsequently pulled up in the Aintree Grand National and Punchestown Gold Cup, but made an encouraging return to action at Tramore on New Year’s Day, when splitting Al Boum Photo and Invitation Only (re-opposes tomorrow) in a listed event. Although receiving 10lb from the winner on that occasion, his comeback run augured well for his prospects in tomorrow’s race. And, favoured by the race conditions and with regular partner Paul Townend on board, he should be tough to beat.