AIDAN O’BRIEN isn’t necessarily known for his chasers these days, but he attempts to land the Captain Christy Novice Chase at Clonmel on Thursday.
His runner, King Leon, was last seen being pulled up at Downpatrick in August after encountering plenty of market support, but was found to have finished lame.
Barry Geraghty partnered King Leon that day, but opts to ride JP McManus’s other runner Gallant Tipp this time round, and that contender wasn’t beaten by far in a competitive Killarney handicap when last sighted and is best treated of the seven runners at these weights.
He was 132-rated over hurdles and has had a deal of experience over fences, this being his 14th start in a chase for just a sole victory, at Roscommon two runs back, where he beat the re-opposing Much Wants More. He should take this, possibly at the expense of Railway Zira.
Gallant Tipp’s handler, Edward O’Grady, provides Geraghty with a couple of other live chances on the card, including Getting Late in the Novice Handicap Hurdle. The son of Milan remains relatively unexposed and did show some promise at Galway in September.
High In The Clouds was successful in his maiden here a month ago and John Joe Walsh’s Cork stable is in good form and may find Sam King something of a threat. The latter’s trainer Ted Walsh has prospects with Old Castletown in the two-mile-three-furlong handicap chase.
The recent Tramore winner is 6lb higher after that first success over fences and faces some stiff opposition from the likes of in-form Colms Dream, who could hardly have been more impressive at Roscommon on Monday and runs here under a 6lb penalty, whereas the handicapper has upped him 9lb in the future.
Old Castletown had little worthwhile opposition in the Tramore race, this is a bit more competitive and Colms Dream can make it two in the week.
Ruby looks to have a live chance with Eyes Of A Tiger in the opening Laganore Maiden Hurdle where Pershing, Racing Again and perhaps A Minute To Go will offer most opposition.
The Golan gelding showed plenty of promise in bumper company, including when finishing fifth at the Galway Festival on his debut under Rules, but couldn’t win, a situation that may be resolved now on his hurdling debut and with professional handling for the first time.
The other maiden hurdle also looks pretty open with Cliffside Park bidding for some reward for his consistency. He was the runner-up to High In The Clouds here. But with luckless Supreme Vinnie, Catcheragain and Table Tips in opposition this might develop into a warm little contest.
With 15lb of allowances I thought Table Tips might get through. There was nothing wrong with her second behind Pretty Woman here last month.
The concluding mares’ bumper looks a tricky contest to sort out, but it will be interesting to see how Ten Times Better fares after she took runner-up spot behind Good Thyne Tara at Limerick in May.
Blazes Peg might be interesting too.
