Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Mullins exciting prospect can have the last Say
WALSH’S MOUNT HAS QUALITIES TO TRIUMPH
BANK on the Willie Mullinstrained Sayar to prove himself an exciting prospect by landing the Grade 3 Joe Mac Novice Hurdle on tomorrow’s excellent mixed card in Tipperary.
The four-year-old Azamour gelding, which raced twice on the flat for Michael Halford and the Aga Khan, finishing fourth to Tipstaff in a Navan maiden in the October of his two-year-old season, was bought for €65,000 in November.
Sent off even-money favourite on his hurdling bow, and his first run for Closutton, at Kilbeggan, Sayar looked green and a little awkward in the early stages but, at the business end, he powered clear for Paul Townend to slam market rival Big Ben by 16 lengths.
That was the performance of a smart recruit. It suggested Sayar possesses a serious engine and, expected to be better suited by the track in Tipperary, I expect him to prove very tough to beat tomorrow, when Ruby Walsh takes over in the saddle. HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT and subsequent Listowel winner MORGAN renew Galway rivalry in this event, Joseph O’brien’s charge, in receipt of 11lb, might have the edge in this battle and present the biggest threat to Sayar.
The Grade 3 Istabraq Hurdle looks an intriguing contest. And a hesitant vote goes to Gavin Cromwell’s mare JER’S GIRL, a dual Grade 1 winner which failed to sparkle last season but looked in great nick when making a successful return to action at Roscommon on Monday.
Ridden by Seamus Heffernan, she accounted for three-yearold Solo Saxophone readily in a mile and a half flat maiden, a performance which should leave her spot-on for tomorrow’s task, when she’ll be ridden by Barry Geraghty.
Willie Mullins runs both last year’s winner IVAN GROZNY and COQUIN MANS, unbeaten in four starts for the champion trainer and, significantly, the choice of Ruby Walsh, left.
This progressive five-year-old is difficult to assess. But he has triumphed over hurdles at Limerick, Wexford and Cork, from two to three miles, and scored on the flat in Listowel recently.
Coquin Mans could be anything. But he might struggle against the proven Jer’s Girl.