CASTLE LOOKS IMPREGNABLE

FRESH from his Grade 1 double with Sir Erec and Le Richebourg last weekend, trainer Joseph O’brien and owner JP Mcmanus should be on the mark with topweight Castle Oliver in the Holycross Maiden Hurdle in Thurles today.

Third to Commander Of Fleet in a Punchestown maiden hurdle on his racecourse debut, this grey overcame traffic problems to land his bumper, when a well-backed 5/2 shot, at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day, getting up late under Derek O’connor to foil Chef Afef narrowly.

The Stowaway gelding is almost certainly a good bit better than that bare form and might concede weight to his 15 rivals, with 118-rated Spyglass Hill and Trappist Monk, third to Sinoria at Down Royal, among the dangers.

O’brien and Derek O’connor might also land the bumper with Sempo, denied a clear run at a crucial stage before staying on to finish a close third behind Exit Poll at Leopardstown.

Earlier, Arvico Bleu, whose form includes a second to subsequent dual Grade 1 winner Le Richebourg in Listowel and a couple of solid, recent runs in handicap company, might land the Templemore Beginners Chase for Henry de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore.

Arvico Bleu is owned by Gigginstown House Stud whose Final List, trained by Gordon Elliott, might be capable of conceding weight to his rivals in the thurles.ie Maiden Hurdle on the back of a hurdle debut second to Valdieu at Naas.

He is preferred to the Willie Mullins-trained Great White Shark, which made a costly blunder on her hurdle debut in Fairyhouse (finished sixth to Kingston Girl) and 116-rated Polished Steel.