The week is finally upon as!
Day 1 might provide to be a tricky one for us as our runners don’t look to be the popular choice amongst the bookmakers. However, the horses don’t know that.
We kick off the day with the Supreme where we have DOCTOR BRAVO. This horse has been quickly improving and keeps surprising us at home with his work. This is a very big step up for him but he proved his worth against more seasoned rivals in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle. This looks an excellent Novice hurdle and many will go on to have stunning careers. We’ve thrown an upset in this race before and today we have Davy Russell in the saddle.
HOLLOW GAMES was probably expected to be a staying chaser rather than running in this but he has shown he likes the two mile challenge. This is his first run since a wind op and although he may not be quite up to winning this we believe he has a good chance of getting into the frame again with Davy Russell in the saddle.
The Ultima usually goes the way of the British and an Irish raider hasn’t won it in quiet some time. We look to change that with THE GOFFER. He has never been far away and has really stepped forward this season. He is also by the leading Cheltenham festival sire Yeats and won’t mind the last minute downpours that have come the Prestbury Park. Davy Russell will take the ride.
The Champion hurdle looks like it probably won’t be coming our way this season but ZANAHIYR is a huge price at 100/1. He ran a fantastic race at Leopardstown and the old sparkle has started to creep back. He may not win the race but he has a very good chance of snatching decent prize money. Davy Russell takes the ride.
For the Mares hurdle we have QUEENS BROOK. This race has turned around and might provide one of the most mouthwatering finishes of the day. It sounds like this will be Honeysuckle’s swansong and it would be great to see her go well. Queens Brook battled well up the straight to down Brandy Love who was probably in need of the run but comes here in the form of her life and she really comes alive around this track. Davy Russell will take the ride.
The Boodles Fred Winter looks very open and we have three runners for it, JAZZY MATTY, LUDUS and GORDONS AURA. Jazzy Matty hasn’t quite reached the heights of his superstar brother just yet but we have chosen to claim off him with the red hot Mikey O’Sullivan who takes off 3lbs and he will have first time cheekpieces on. Ludus is a great looking horse and looks to have got the hang of things lately. He’ll be off a featherweight 10st4lbs and will have Jordan Gainford in the saddle. Sam Ewing gets the leg up on Gordons Aura who was a winner last time out and has since had a run on the flat. He would need a lot of luck in this but anything could happen.
Finally in the National Hunt chase we have another three going to battle. CHEMICAL ENERGY was a bit disappointing the last day but that was his first run after a bit of a break. He posted a stunning win around this track last year and will be ridden by Jamie Codd. MINELLA CROONER has recently changed hands and comes here with a great chance. He is a good jumper and has bags of talent, Brian O’Neill has been booked to ride. Our last runner is FAKIERA who couldn’t back up his run the last day. He has had a few spins around here and is in great form and will have Declan Lavery in the saddle.
