Big night in store for local ace Hamilton
DOWNPATRICK trainer Brian Hamilton could supply the best bet tonight at his local course with point to point winner Big Kern.
The finale — a bumper confined to lady riders — should see the Noel Meade and Nina Carberry representative Crofton Trail start favourite following two solid placed efforts in good bumpers.
However Hamilton’s Big Kern appears a progressive type and is the value bet in tonight’s concluding contest.
Champion Irish trainer Willie Mullins sends Rough Justice up for the opening long distance maiden hurdle with former Irish champion jump jockey Paul Townend aboard.
Pay No Heed showed improved form when fourth at Punchestown and could offer better value while Well Tuned, Rube Barrow and Triplets Joy have claims.
The Jim Dreaper-trained Camillas Wish is making the transition from point to points and is worth noting.
Presswell Lad failed to complete a hat trick of victories at the local track on his last start but could gain compensation in the Downpatrick’s Looking Good Hurdle.
Willie Mullins is again represented, with top weight Andiamos, however the Paul Nolan-trained Seven Acres could pose a bigger threat while Brian Hamilton’s Over Church Road, despite running consistently, is proving frustrating in terms of getting past the post first.
Mallards In Flight failed to handle the track last month prior to winning at Clonmel but still warrants inclusion in the short list.
The Racing All The Way Hurdle appears wide open, however Paul Carberry is an interesting booking for previous course winner King Of Aram with the Michael Grassick-trained horse having been absent for a year and a half.
The Killinchy- trained Shershewill is another course winner and has consistent decent efforts at the track while Magnetic Force ran well on the Flat behind Seismic.
Willie Mullins is again represented, with Dream Nolan — having been competing at a higher level and making his handicap debut — getting the vote.
The Liam Lennon-trained Waltz Legend could provide a local suc- cess having run very well when attempting to make all at Kilbeggan last time behind Ballylongford.
Ultra Light, Native Court and Bose Ikard — the latter locally owned and a previous course winner — can offer the biggest danger.
The handicap chase is another open affair with Waterloo Chateau — a course winner and having accounted for Hidden Present at the course last time — preferred while Paul Carberry is a notable booking for Right Strategy already a course and distance winner.
The Jim Dreaper-trained Sizing Solution, with newly crowned All- Ireland and Ulster Region champion point to point rider Jamie Codd in the saddle, appears the certain favourite in the hunter chase.