It seems some things just never go out of fashion and it looks like the same can be said for Davy Russell as he reinstates his license to cover Jack Kennedy while he is out injured.
JAZZY MATTY will be Davy’s first ride back in the saddle since retiring in the Race Displays Hurdle over two miles. It’s a small but very competitive field with a few trying to stamp their tickets to Cheltenham. It was great to see this horse win last time out and hopefully he is on the right track now.
We double up for the next race, the Peter Nolan Mares maiden hurdle over 2m2f with BELLATIOR and GAYE WINNIE. Bellatior gets the application of her hood again today as she looks to build on her maiden hurdle bow. Her pedigree suggests she should get better with age as it took Altior a little while to become what we know him as. Denis O’Regan takes the ride. Gaye Winnie ran very well on debut in a maiden hurdle and could provide a bit of fun for connections and she is another daughter of Walk in the park. Jordan Gainford has been booked to ride.
For the Philip O’Connor Memorial Handicap Hurdle we have BODHISATTVA and DOCTOR CHURCHILL. Bodhisattva has put in two solid performances this season and will be back under the drive of Davy Russell so hopefully the pair can go well. Doctor Churchill has been dropped two pounds since his last run and can hopefully do better for it with Jordan Gainford in the saddle.
The next race is the feature race on the card, a Grade A handicap chase over 2m1f. ANDY DUFRESNE is towards the top of the weights but has been dropped three pounds since his last run so could be getting in a better position now, Jody McGarvey is booked to ride. Our second runner in this is BATTLEOVERDOYEN who was also dropped since his last run in Leopardstown he now goes off 144 and will get Jordan Gainford.
THEMANINTHEBOOTS tries a different discipline as he goes over fences for the first time in what looks a very hot race. Fitness will be no issue as he ran just over a week ago and Ricky Doyle has been booked to ride.
JACK IN THE BOX has a string of threes beside his name and he looks to improve those by a figure or two for the rated novices chase. It’s a mixed bunch and could potentially look rather open and Jordan Gainford is booked to ride.
Rounding off the string is OSSIFER HOPS in the bumper. He is having his first start for us since placing second in a point to point. He has a bit of experience behind him from that realm and this race could cut up into anything. Jamie Codd has been booked to ride.
Over in Warwick we managed to get the horses across the sea whilst there was a break in the storm. THE GOFFER runs in the Grade 2 novices chase over 3 miles. It has cut up into a very small field as there are only 4 runners so it could be a profitable trip. Sam Ewing has been booked to ride.
Our next two runners come in the Pertemps Qualifier where we have SIRE DU BERLAIS and LEVEL NEVERENDING. Sire is a dab hand and well used to the assignment on offer, Richie McLernon is booked to ride. Level Neverending was better the last day and hopefully due to the small field he can book his ticket to Cheltenham if he gets in the first four, Sam Ewing is booked to ride.
