Darasso will prove worth

DARASSO can make a victorious trip across the Irish sea in the New One Unibet Hurdle (3.15) at Haydock today.

Joseph O’brien (pictured) entered the horse at Leopardstown at Christmas, but when the ground dried up, new plans were made.

The seven-year-old is a mud-lover and few tracks get more heavy than Haydock.

Darasso was last seen winning a Grade 2 chase at Navan in March with subsequent Topham Chase winner Cadmium in behind.

The likely favourite here will be Triumph Hurdle winner Pentland Hills, although the jury is out on the strength of last year’s juvenile.

Go through that race and you find that only second-placed Coeur Sublime has shown himself to be a graded horse.

Many positives were taken by the Henderson camp from Pentland Hill’s season opener when tiring late on behind Call Me Lord at Cheltenham.

But if he is to be a Champion Hurdle contender, the fiveyear-old needs to win here.

The value looks to be Darasso who is sure to relish the conditions.

There are fascinating races aplenty this weekend and The Bosses Oscar makes a lot of appeal in the Navan Handicap Hurdle (1.55)

Moving to Sunday and Real Steel looks the one to be on in the Horse & Jockey Hotel Steeplechase (2.45) at Thurles today.

Willie Mullins’ horse was less than four lengths behind stablemate Min in the John Durkan Chase at Punchestown last month.

The same couldn’t be said about Footpad who comes here after stepping up to three miles in the King George VI Chase.

The eight-year-old couldn’t lay a glove on winner Clan Des Obeaux – preference is for Real Steel.

In the following Mares Novice Steeplechase at 3.20, Mullins again holds a very strong hand.

After a mini-summer campaign, Elimay returned to jump with aplomb to beat Agusta Gold at Cork last month.