WALSH IN FOR THE
Trip and form give Ted’s star Paddy Power chance Rest fell the Rath as National run awaits
IRISH RACING
This €50,000 contest has attracted quite a few with chances but the Walsh representative makes plenty of appeal.
He has been running well in quality handicap chases lately and form such as his fourth in last month’s Dan Moore Chase gives him a live chance.
Also he has been placed over two and a half miles this season so the switch to a longer trip is not a major concern. Lastly, his beginners chase defeat of Duca De Thaix back in the autumn entitles him to considerable respect.
In the Grade 2 novice hurdle the Gordon Elliotttrained Chosen Mate is put forward to make up for a recent defeat at Punchestown.
He was beaten three parts of a length by Sinoria that day but ran well and should have learnt a lot from that run.
The former point-topointer has run just twice on the track so he has more to offer and he makes more appeal than Jetez.
That rival would have a huge chance on his second to Felix Desjy in a Punchestown Grade 2 last month.
However, he has since disappointed by finishing THE talented Rathvinden laid down a notable Grand National marker with a fine comeback success in the Grade 3 Betvictor Bobbyjo Chase yesterday.
The Cheltenham Festival winner hadn’t run in 10 months but looked as good as ever in disposing of the Thyestes Chase second Alpha Des Obeaux.
Paul Townend took his time on Rathvinden before producing the 11-year-old to lead in between the final two fences.
A safe jump at the last made down the field in a competitive handicap hurdle at Leopardstown.
The day’s other graded contest should fall to Willie Mullins whose Cadmium looks a standout in the fourrunner, two-mile chase.
This gelding is already a Grade 3 winner this season, while he has shown up well against rivals the quality of Delta Work.
He comes here in much better form than last year’s winner Doctor Phoenix who has struggled to find his form this season.
At his best Doctor Phoenix is a quality two-mile chaser but he wants much softer ground to be seen at his most effective.
Mullins should also land the opening maiden hurdle sure of the outcome and the 100/30 shot came home with three and a half lengths to spare.
Rathvinden is now as short as 12/1 for the Grand National after crediting Willie Mullins with a fourth consecutive Bobbyjo success.
“That was a nice first run of the season and I imagine he will now go to the Grand National. I’m not sure if he will run again beforehand,” said Mullins. “He’s had his troubles in the past but he’s good, sound and well now and was really firing at home coming into this.” Mullins and with Fast Buck who shaped up well on his jumping debut at Cork.
On that occasion Fast Buck was defeated by the high class juvenile hurdler Fakir D’oudairies who went on to bolt up in a Grade 2 at Cheltenham.
At Cork Fast Buck was having his first run since October 2017 so he should improve nicely from that.
Elsewhere, Mon Lino is likely to take plenty of beating in the three-mile handicap chase following an excellent run over hurdles at Leopardstown three weeks ago.
Finally, Midnight Run can land the bumper having chased home the exciting Envoi Allen on his latest start.
FAIRYHOUSE REPORT
Townend were also successful with Eight And Bob whose victory in the Tommy Carberry Handicap Hurdle marked him out as a handicapper on the up.
The six-year-old was an easy seven lengths winner and could add to his tally in coming weeks.
Earlier young trainer Padraig Roche notched up the biggest success of his career when the Robbie Power-ridden Way Back Home landed the Grade 3 Winning Fair Juvenile Hurdle.
The victorious front runner is now likely to be aimed at the Punchestown Festival.