Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Gord has Colfer down to a Teah Elliott’s boy has Chel of a chance
THE Gordon Elliott-trained Teahupoo should book his place on the lorry to Cheltenham by landing the Grade 3 Norman Colfer Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle at Fairyhouse today.
The card features three Grade 3 events, including the Bobbyjo – a traditional stepping-stone to the Randox Grand National, and the Red Mills Trial Hurdle – transferred from Gowran Park.
But the unbeaten Teahupoo looks the best bet in the graded action. And, if he follows-up his Irish debut success over course and distance, a trip to Cheltenham could be on the cards.
Successful on his only start in his native
France, a juvenile hurdle at Auteuil in
October, Teahupoo had his first outing for
Cullentra over this course and distance in mid-january and, sent to the front turning for home, had been joined and marginally headed by odds-on favourite Youmdor when that rival crashed at the final flight.
It looked likely Youmdor (subsequently disappointing in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown) would have prevailed. But, left clear, Teahupoo galloped on resolutely to the line to score by 15 lengths from subsequent Naas winner Druid’s Altar.
Willie Mullins relies on German import and hurdling debutant Tax For
Max, successful once in six starts on the level and tried in Group 1 company on his final start in Germany.
And Joseph O’brien’s filly Scholastic, receiving 11lb from Teahupoo, is another danger. But Teahupoo might prove a cut above his five rivals.
Bidding for a six-in-a-row in the race, Willie Mullins (inset) runs both last year’s winner Acapella Bourgeois and Aintree-bound Burrows Saint in the Bobbyjo Chase.
Back at the scene of his 2019 Boylesports Irish Grand National victory, Burrows Saint is best-suited by race conditions. And, the choice of Paul Townend, he gets a marginal vote despite two largely disappointing runs over hurdles this season.
Expected to strip fitter than when fading late to finish sixth behind Sams Profile in the Galmoy last time, Burrows Saint is rated 1lb superior to Acapella Bourgeois and receives 6lb from his stable-companion. Acapella, brushed aside by dual Gold Cup winner Al Boum Photo at Tramore on New Year’s Day, finished fifth to Coko Beach in the Thyestes last time and is a big threat, while Tony Martin’s classy seasonal debutant Anibale Fly is sure to improve from the run.
Although set to concede weight to his five rivals, Henry de Bromhead’s unexposed Jason The Militant, a close third to Abacadabras in the Grade 1 Morgiana, might overcome an absence by taking the Red Mills Trial Hurdle.