Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Show that you ‘mene business..
ENTERING open company for the first time, Energumene is expected to extend his unbeaten record over fences in the Kerry Group Hilly Way Chase, Grade 2 feature of tomorrow’s card in Cork.
Willie Mullins has won 12 of the last 14 renewals of this two-miler, with such stable stars as Douvan, Un De Sceaux and Chacun Pour Soi.
And Energumene, unbeaten in four chase starts, including the Arkle at Leopardstown in February and the Ryanair Gold Cup at Fairyhouse, both Grade 1 events, is set to continue Closutton’s excellent strike rate here.
The seven-year-old looked an outstanding novice last season, mixing fluent jumping with speed and stamina. The only blip was a slight setback which forced him to miss Cheltenham.
Rated 169 already, Energumene must concede 2lb to Notebook, a dual Grade 1 winner as a novice and conqueror of Samcro in the Grade 2 Fortria at Navan on his seasonal bow last month.
But he looks a very exciting prospect and gets the vote to provide Wexford rider Sean O’keeffe with the highlight of what promises to be a great day.
Cleary highly-rated by Mullins, O’keeffe should also triumph on Closutton’s hurdling debutants Kilcruit, winner of the Grade 1 bumper at Punchestown, and dual bumper-winner Dysart Dynamo (wearing a first-time tongue-tie) in the divisions of the Follow Us On Instagram Maiden Hurdle.
A high-class hurdler, Concertista will carry the hopes of Mullins and O’keeffe on her fencing debut, in the O’flynn Group Mares Novice Chase. If jumping fluently, she might prove too strong for Henry de Bromhead’s recent course winner Magic Daze.
Churchstonewarrior, although 3lb worse off, might confirm recent Thurles form with Idas Boy in the Grade 3 Singletons Supervalu Stayers Novice Hurdle.