Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
National forecast is for Fog
THE Pat Fahy-trained Mister Fogpatches looks the one to beat in tomorrow’s marathon Paddypower Cork Grand National in Cork.
A dour stayer, the grey has won only once in eight attempts over fences, when landing a competitive handicap over three miles and seven furlongs at the Punchestown Festival, beating Se Mo Laoch and Anibaly Fly, off a mark of 128.
That win came just two weeks after a creditable third to Mighty Thunder in the Scottish Grand National, over four miles, in Ayr.
And, after a summer break, Mister Fogpatches made a pleasing return when filling fourth spot behind Uiscea Beatha over an inadequate trip, two and a half miles, at Listowel in September.
Tomorrow’s distance of three and a half miles and ground conditions should play to the unexposed seven-year-old’s strengths. And he gets the nod over top-weight Russian Diamond, Spades Are Trumps and Screaming Colours.
Cape Gentleman, impressive on his recent fencing bow in
Punchestown has obvious prospects in the ultra-competitive Grade 3 From The Horses Mouth Novice Chase.
It’s a cracking contest, with dual chase-winner Bleu Berry, chasing debutant French Dynamite, Irish Grand National runner-up Run Wild Fred, Politesse and the selection’s stablemate Noble Yeats all in the field.
Emmet Mullins, trainer of Cape Gentleman, has a strong hand throughout the card, with Crowns Major, winner of a valuable flat handicap at the Galway Festival, preferred to fellow hurdling debutant Mosala in the opener.
And Agritime, the only winner in the race, following his smooth recent success in Limerick, is difficult to oppose in the bumper.
The listed, three-mile novice hurdle looks open. But recent Galway winner Ballywilliam Boy, sets the standard.