Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Mullins boy Bapaume is one to beat
ALTHOUGH more accomplished over hurdles and successful only once over fences, the Willie Mullins-trained Bapaume looks the one to beat in the Tramore Racecourse Directors tomorrow.
The eight-year-old was a Grade 1 winner as a juvenile and landed the Prix la Barka (Grade 2) at Auteuil in 2018 – in addition to finishing in the frame four times at Grade 1 level the following season.
Bapaume triumphed on his second start over the bigger obstacles, beating one of tomorrow’s rivals, Spyglass Hill, at Gowran Park in December 2019 before failing to make an impact in top company.
This season, he has mixed hurdles and fences, showing some of his old sparkle when justifying 1/7 favouritism in a two-mile conditions hurdle in Cork last month before failing, over the same course and distance, to a revitalised Sole Pretender – with Davids Charm in fifth.
Prone to an odd mistake, Bapaume should be suited by the drying ground and Tramore fences. If close to his best, he might have the edge over Articulum - also rated 149 over fences.
Runner-up on his second bumper start in Thurles and a beaten favourite when third to all-the-way scorer Costalotmore in a maiden hurdle at Limerick in December, another Mullins runner En Beton looks the one to beat in the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle.
In the colours she wore to Randox Grand National glory on
Minella Times, Rachael Blackmore has a big chance on Pat Fahy’s Western Boy in the Lismore Handicap Chase.
Runner-up to Burlesque Queen in a handicap hurdle at Leopardstown at Christmas, the 12-year-old was in the thick of the battle when unshipping Richie Condon two out in Cluan Dara’s race at Clonmel last time. Compensation awaits, with a solid round of jumping.