Buss has the gears to Blaze a trail
BUSSELTON can make amends for missing out on the Galway Plate by landing the Guinness Galway Blazers Handicap Chase (5.35) at Ballybrit today.
Joseph O’brien’s sole runner in this race would have been well fancied for Wednesday’s feature, but didn’t get into the race off a mark of 140.
He has to shoulder a big weight but 2m6½f up that hill in Galway might just suit him.
He’s got a lazy way of racing and he’ll definitely come home strong. I think he’s the one they all have to beat.
I’d give an each-way chance to Russian Diamond for Emmet Mullins. If he can get his jumping together, he’s potentially very well handicapped.
Freewheelin Dylan had his day in the sun at Fairyhouse 15 months ago when winning the Irish Grand National, but this trip might be a bit on the sharp side for him.
O’brien will also be aiming to win the big race on the flat this evening and has course and distance winner Merroir in the Guinness Handicap at 6.35.
But Gavin Cromwell is well represented in this contest and I think Dha Leath with Gavin Ryan onboard could be the one to side with as he bids to make it a hat-trick.
In the opening race on the card, Vultan has a big absence to overcome having recently joined Tony Martin from Joseph O’brien.
The two I fancy in the race are both four-year-olds. Lunar Power has a chance for Noel Meade, having been keeping some pretty good company, and Ebasari, who won well the last day in Downpatrick.
He actually beat yesterday’s Hurdle favourite Adamantly Chosen in a maiden hurdle in Cork so that could be very good form and I’d have preference for Ebasari over Lunar Power.
I also like the look of Blue News in the 7f Auction Maiden at 5.30 for Andrew Slattery.
He was second on his last start at Navan and could be open to a bit of improvement.
The 1m4f Fillies’ Maiden at 7.10 looks an ideal opportunity for
Stellar Storm for Dermot Weld.
She was fourth on debut in Killarney when beaten ten lengths by Goodie Two Shoes, which wasn’t a bad run and with improvement she could go very close.
M C Muldoon will take a lot of beating in the Rockshore Irish Lager Race at 8.10 for Willie Mullins with Colin Keane booked to ride.
And in the last race, if Unanswered reappears he should get compensation for Wednesday night when he was very unlucky to finish a neck second to 33/1 shot Scenic Look.
But this looks like a good chance for him to get his head back in front for Tony Martin with Billy Lee booked to ride again.