Our new star columnist has his string in tremendous form right now. Check out his thoughts on some of the recent runners and the weekend team.
I was very happy with ASTERION FORLONGE’s win at Punchestown on Saturday. It looked a good race, he did it well and I was very pleased. We’ll probably keep him for Christmas now, possibly looking at the race in Limerick Faugheen won last year. He’ll have entries at Leopardstown too, where he’s won before, but Limerick might be the race for him.
We didn’t get the bounce of the ball with SAINT ROI in the Unibet Morgiana Hurdle but we learnt a lot from it. It was more valuable experience for the horse and what we learned will hopefully help us for the bigger races later on with him too.
KEMBOY should come on for his return in the boomerang.ie Chase at Thurles. He made a mistake at the wrong time and that told on him in the end. A few of ours are needing a run this season and he looked to fall in that category.
We won the closing Horse & Jockey Flat Race with EL BARRA who has always shown us he’s a nice horse at home. He’s been a bit frustrating to keep right but seems good now and hopefully we can go on from here. He’s six rising seven so I might head away over hurdles for the rest of the season and go chasing next term.
Sunday
SHADOW RIDER - 11.40 Navan
He won a point-to-point very easily and jumps well. This trip won’t be a problem and the ground will suit him so we’re very hopeful but we have to respect the chances of Wide Receiver who will take a bit of beating.
BLACKBOW - 1.45 Navan
He had a race at his mercy here last season and fell at the last so at least we know the track isn’t an issue. He’s still a maiden over hurdles but we’ve decided to go chasing with his size and age. He looks more of a chaser and we’re hoping for a big run. He likes to get on with the job but is strong enough to be able to do that.
BRAHMA BULL - 2.20 Navan
A clear round here and place money is probably the best we can hope for in this but he has to start somewhere. Conditions of the race don’t suit him but with his rating sometimes horses like this are very hard to place. He needs to get going so we head there on Sunday.
GANAPATHI - 11.55 Cork
He won over a mile-and-a-half in France on heavy ground so conditions will be fine. We’ll be positive on this fellow and he’s a nice type of horse. He’s shown me a nice bit at home and I’m looking forward to getting him on the track.
GRAND BORNAND - 12.25 Cork
He won a bumper in France and runs for Susannah and Rich Ricci. He’s from the family of So Young who was a good winner for the stable. He’s another nice recruit to jumping and goes here in good shape. I think we should be involved in the business send of the race.
APPRECIATE IT - 12.55 Cork
He ran well to finish second to Ferny Hollow in the Weatherbys Champion Bumper and looks more a chaser than a hurdler, but we’ll spend this season over hurdles. He’s in good shape but will improve for the run. He jumps and stays well and should handle the ground but, like I say, is going to come on for this.
YUKON LIL - 2.35 Cork
She runs in the mares’ beginners’ chase. She jumps well and is by Flemensfirth so that would offer encouragement she’ll handle the ground however the dam sire is King’s Theatre which might be a concern on that front. She’s never run in ground as testing as this before and it would be a worry for me.
