Obeaux poised to call the tune
GORDON ELLIOTT, who saddled Roi Du Mee to win the BetVictor Bobbyjo Chase at Fairyhouse in 2013 and 2015, can add a third victory with ALPHA DES OBEAUX (4.00) this afternoon.
Alpha Des Obeaux put in his best performance to date when finishing a battling second behind the Willie Mullins-trained Invitation Only in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park last month, and can go one better over the same trip of three miles and a furlong.
Mullins saddles Pleasant Company and Rathvinden as Ireland’s champion trainer bids to continue his recent domination of the Bobbyjo, having saddled a record seven previous winners in the race, including five of the last seven.
Pleasant Company won the race in 2017 before being narrowly denied victory in last year’s Grand National at Aintree by Elliott’s Tiger Roll.
However, the 11-yearold has finished wellbeaten on each of his two starts this season, including in the Thyestes.
Rathvinden won the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival last March but has been off the track since fourth in a Grade One novice chase last April.
AUTHORIZO (2.15) looked a useful novice when hacking up on his debut at Fairyhouse a month ago and can add the Grade Three Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle to Elliott’s tally of winners.
POLISHED STEEL (2.50) is improving steadily for Jessica Harrington and looks a handicap snip in the Tommy Carberry Handicap Hurdle.