Top trio are in the fast Lane
TODAY’S Grade 3 Fishery Lane Hurdle in Naas is a very intriguing contest as it brings together three of Ireland’s top juvenile hurdlers of last season, including the Willie Mullins-trained pair Saldier and Mr Adjudicator.
Ruby Walsh will be on board Saldier, which beat stable-companion Mr Adjudicator in the Grade 1 AES Champion 4-Y-0 Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival.
But, on this occasion, I prefer Paul Townend’s mount Mr Adjudicator on the basis of his overall form, which includes rock-solid Grade 1 form with Farclas, which he beat at Leopardstown before chasing him home in the Triumph at Cheltenham.
Although rated 3lb inferior to Saldier, Mr Adjudicator might have too many gears for his rival today while Gavin Cromwell’s Espoir D’allen, which beat Farclas at Leopardstown last Christmas, is a threat to both.
A hopeful nap vote goes to Joseph O’brien’s hurdling debutant Rhinestone in the opener.
Wide-margin winner of a Thurles bumper, he bumped into Blackbow at Leopardstown and was far from disgraced when ninth behind Relegate in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham.
He looks an interesting hurdling recruit and, if strong in the market, should be tough to beat.