Field is ready to reap Chase rewards
Mullins star in Great shape to be undefeated
GREAT FIELD will be expected to extend his unbeaten record over fences in the Grade 2 Kerry Group Hilly Way Chase in Cork tomorrow.
Successful twice in France before joining Willie Mullins, the Great Pretender gelding has been beaten only once (when pulled up in Cheltenham’s County Hurdle) in the care of the champion trainer.
His bold, front-running displays have been a revelation since he embarked on his chasing career. And, although he took an occasional liberty with his fences in his novice days, his partnership with Jody Mcgarvey has yielded five wins.
In his novice campaign, he chalked-up victories at Gowran Park, Leopardstown and Thurles before slamming Ordinary World in the Grade 1 Ryanair Novice Chase at the Punchestown Festival.
Unfortunately, Great Field’s return to action was deferred last season. And he made his only appearance of the campaign in the Grade 2 Webster Cup when, having adopted his customary front-running tactics, he beat DOCTOR PHOENIX by a length and three quarters.
The pair clash again here, both making their seasonal debuts, with Great Field 1lb better off and expected to confirm the form.
The field also includes two-mile specialist SPECIAL TIARA, held by Min on Leopardstown form last season and off the track since finishing fourth to Altior in the Celebration Chase at Sandown in April.
Highest-rated of the eight runners is ANIBALE FLY, below, third to Native River in the Gold Cup at Cheltenham and fourth to Tiger Roll in the Aintree Grand National last spring but vulnerable here, on his seasonal debut, over an extended two miles.
The card also includes two Grade 3 events for novices. And the Willie Mullins-trained mare ROBIN DE CARLOW, smooth winner of a listed event over this course and distance last time, sets the standard in the Kerry Group Stayers Novice Hurdle, in which THE BIG DOG is an interesting hurdling debutant.
FORGE MEADOW, no match for the high-class Mengli Khan at Punchestown, will be fancied to land the Kerry Group Irish EBF Mares Novice Chase.
But, although conceding 7lb to Jessica Harrington’s mare, I prefer the Mullinstrained CAMELIA DE COTTE, winner of a listed event in Clonmel last time, more experienced over fences and a fluent jumper, when she’s allowed roll along.
And Tony Martin’s VOICES OF SPRING, fifth to the very smart Wonder Laish in Navan, catches the eye in the Low Low Handicap
Hurdle.