BAC’ FOR GOOD
Nobody to stop Mullins’ star
Bacardys (12.00) was no match for Bob Olinger at Gowran Park earlier in the season when trailing that superstar by six lengths.
Still, it was no bad run from Willie Mullins’ charge and there are not many Bob Olingers running in beginners chases, so the Fairyhouse opener this afternoon will be a more facile event.
Espion Du Chenet (12.30) can follow that in the handicap.
Louise Lyons’ gelding had a profitable time last year before putting in a fine run at Aintree.
He ran respectably earlier this month when finishing fifth at Naas after a break — with the extra Christmas pounds burnt off, he will appear fit and lean.
Sc hool Lane’s (1.05) career was uneventful for the most part — he then won a point to point, won another and followed with two more on the track.
I wouldn’t bet against him going in again.
Willie Mullins has a real stranglehold on Mares’ Novice Hurdle. His runners are easily the top three in the market.
Paul Townend has opted for Brandy Love but it can’t have been an easy choice. Allegoire De Vassy hacked up the only time we’ve seen her.
Favours
I’ll go against Paul and pick
Grangee (1.40). A fine fourth in Grade 1 company over Christmas, the race didn’t pan out for her that day as she got involved much too early.
Ha D’Or (2.15) doesn’t do himself any favours with the choke out from the word go. He wears a hood to calm him down and his fine second to Au Fleuron is the best form in the lineup here.
In the second division of that maiden, Flame Bearer (2.50) has a similar profile. A bumper winner, he has a nice run over hurdles, finishing third at Naas.
Champ Royal (3.25) was fourth in a better race than this last year and scrapes in to the conditions.
In the last, Lord Lariat (4.00) has to be a good thing. Has won two chases since joining Dermot ‘Red’ McLoughlin, the most recent by six lengths off a rating of 128.
He shows up over hurdles off 109, that’s almost 30lb better in and he’s in flying form.
Watching
There are a few in at Naas tomorrow I’m looking forward to. Run Wild Fred (12.40) is exciting to watch. A bold jumper ridden prominently, he put in an exhibition in the Troytown in November before going close at the top level at Leopardstown over Christmas.
Sa int Felicien (1.40) is interesting. He takes on plenty who are past their best, maybe one of them will relive their glory days but this lad is on the up and hopefully up again.
Sa ntonito (4.10) has not gotten the head home yet but he was only a nose short last time.