Get your own Free Home PageApologies for the Easter break but I'm back with a bang previewing an exciting week of National Hunt and Flat racing.
The Punchestown Festival kicks of on Tuesday and French Ballerina promises to be the star. She has been rested since her fabulous win at Cheltenham and once again His Song could prove the main danger. It is hard to see her getting beaten granted further improvement from only her 3rd run over hurdles. Dr Massini is one to avoid after apparently refusing to cooperate at a recent Punchestown schooling session as well as his last three race course appearances. The preceding race is the Ladies Cup which looks good for last years winner Tearaway King. He has been aimed at this all year via the point to point circuit where trainer/jockey Enda Bolger has recently equalled(at time of writing) the record for most winners ridden. Eton Gale ran well for a long way in the Irish National and should go well in the Novice Chase. Klairon Davis bids to make amends for Cheltenham and the softer ground should help him stamp his authority. The exciting Generosa should go well in the 2m4f hurdle.
Wednesday opens with a novice hurdle in which Dolittle Bay is an improving sort. The 2.40, won last year by Istabraq, could be the preferred target for His Song although ther are small doubts about the distance dispite his point to point win. Archive Footage(bred to be a classic winner) is in good form but if Bakkar can be forgiven his Aintree misadventure he could be the one to get on. Lucky Town fulfilled my belief in him with a good win at Listowel but the featured Heineken Gold Cup over 3m1f on softer ground may be too much for him. Boss Doyle is the class horse and his class should shine through. Drying ground would make Grimes look extremely attractive in the �40,000 Handicap Hurdle in which Gazalani could be coming back to form. Persian Life makes his debut for Noel Meade in the 2m4f chase and could give Manhatton Castle a run for the money. The very exciting prospect Cardinal Hill misses the champion bumper so To Your Honour should step up on his excellent 5th at Cheltenham. Elegant Lord will outclass his rivals in the Kevin McManus(brother of JP) Hunters Chase.
Highlight of the final day should be Sean Connery's Risk Of Thunder winging round the bank corse he has made his own in the La Touche Cup. He ran a pleasing trial at Fairyhouse. Black Queen also had a recent prep run and should go well in the opener. Rainbow Frontier shuold enjoy the soft ground and Irish soil in the 4yo Hurdle where the fresh Executive Decision could prove best of the home team. The stayers hurdle sees Paddys Return returning to take on the mare Marello. He landed a gamble here last year and I fancy could do again. Upton Gone bids to follow up his debut win in the Bumper.
Attention turns to Newmarket at the weekend where Silver Patriarch makes his debut on Friday and we see the first Classics of the season. The St.Leger winner is reportedly in great form. The 2000gns is a clash between Ireland, Grance and Dubai on English soil. People have written off Central Park and he is a good each-way price. Xaar looked good on his come back but may be susceptible to a speed horse like King Of Kings. Lets hope so! The 1000 looks more open and Tarascon looks overpriced at 33-1. Tommy Stack knows what it takes to win this race first time out-albeit narrowly with Las Meninas. Cape Verdi doesn't arrive until later in the week and if recovered from the jetlag should go very well.
Navan last Saturday held an interesting card with Bianconi a steal at 5-4. This full brothr to July Cup winner Hamas is expected to win much more than a Navan maiden. Ardlea House ran an excellent race over an inadequit 5f and should be spot on for the first meeting at his favourite course, Dundalk, next Friday night.
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