A MAI DAY CALL Getaway with the swag if all goes to plan
Mullins is looking fourmidable
IRISH RACING
The prospect of some easy ground has tempted some quality sorts into lining up here and Getaway Katie Mai is hard to look past given her exploits last season.
This mare signed off the previous campaign with victory in the mares bumper at Aintree in April.
However, an even better effort was her second to Relegate in a Grade 2 at Leopardstown in February.
Relegate went on to win at Cheltenham and a host of those behind Getaway Katie Mai that day went on to distinguish themselves.
One of those was Gordon Elliott’s Tintangle, who is also starting off over hurdles in this race.
She should make up into quite a decent hurdler but last season’s form leaves her with work to do if she is to turn the tables on Getaway Katie Mai Elliott should make his mark in the beginner’s chase where Blow By Blow kicks off his first season over fences.
This formerly top class bumper horse showed much of his old sparkle to win the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham last March.
He is a decent staying type who is at home on better ground so he IT will be no surprise if champion trainer Willie Mullins leaves Wexford with four winners today.
From the very outset of the card Mullins (inset) has some great chances and his Panther Soul is the choice in the opener.
He was a costly failure at Gowran earlier in the month but that was his first run for a year and he should now do much better. should thrive here today and prove too strong for Dorans River, who fell at Limerick a fortnight ago when still holding every chance.
Willie Mullins fields three runners in the rated novice hurdle and the fact that Ruby Walsh has opted for Karl Der Grosse is noteworthy.
This gelding began his jumping career in a Tramore maiden hurdle in August and he turned in a nice effort to win a race which has worked out satisfactorily. There should be more to come from him.
Mullins will also be fancied to take the conditions hurdle with the former Irish St Leger hero Wicklow Brave.
This gelding’s winning run came to an end at Tipperary last month but he is dropping down in grade and taking a huge step up in trip.
Wicklow Brave has never run over a trip this far and could be vulnerable.
As a result the vote goes to Jamie Sommers, who is getting a lot of weight. She will enjoy the trip and switching back to hurdles.
Crosshue Boy was a progressive chaser towards the end of last season and might transfer that improvement back to hurdles on his comeback.
Elsewhere, Tout Est Permis is probably better than he has shown lately and he might defy top weight in the first of the day’s handicaps.
Sapphire Lady didn’t run anywhere near her best at Limerick a couple of weeks but her form earlier this summer included a second in a novice hurdle at the Galway Festival. If she can come back to anything like that level she will surely be able to take care of her rivals in the Mares Hurdle.
It was a little disappointing that Eight And Bob wasn’t able to win at Downpatrick last time but he is worth another chance in the first of the day’s handicaps. The Mullinstrained Miss Chevious Girl has run two nice races in bumpers and she won’t need to improve on her form to date to win the last.