Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
PUNTERS PUT FAITH IN SAINT
Mcmanus charge can answer prayers in Cheltenham prep
LIGHTLY-RACED French import Saint Roi should start his preparation for a Champion Hurdle bid at Cheltenham next March by landing the Horse & Jockey Hotel Hurdle, one of three Grade 3 events in Tipperary tomorrow. Trained for J P Mcmanus by Willie Mullins, and formerly with Guy Cherel in France, Saint Roi is a five-year-old with immense potential.
Turned over at 1/3 on his Irish debut at Clonmel in December, Saint Roi looked a promising sort when winning his maiden hurdle ef fortlessly at Tramore on New Year’s Day.
And he took a massive jump forward when last seen, contesting the Randox Health County Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Racing off 137 and ridden by Barry Geraghty, the Coastal Path gelding produced a sparkling display, beating compatriot Aramon (conceding 12lb) in convincing style.
Aramon, of course, went on to win the Grade 3 Grimes at this venue before defying top-weight and a mark of 155 in the Guinness
Galway Hurdle.
The highest-rated of the seven runners, Saint Roi is a confident choice to beat Noel Meade’s Beacon Edge, narrowly beaten by Thursday’s Fairyhouse winner Jason The Militant in a Grade 2 novice at Naas last spring.
The clash of Galvin, Sizing Pottsie and four-year-old A Wave Of The Sea, a recent winner at Kilbeggan, in the Grade 3 Like-a-butterf ly Novice Chase should be intriguing.
Pottsie scored twice over fences last winter, landing the Grade 3 Flyingbolt at Navan and held every chance when exiting at the second last in a similar event in Thurles when last seen.
Preference is for Gordon Elliott’s Galvin, a hugely creditable second to the useful Imperial Aura at the Cheltenham Festival before being a late withdrawal from the Galway Plate for which he was ante-post favourite.
Galvin has won two weak events in Killarney since his Galway blip, doing no more than was necessary. But he might have a slight fitness advantage over Sizing Pottsie and, with a good round of jumping, Davy Russell’s mount might have the edge.