Wexford preview
GORDON Elliott looks like he could dominate proceedings at Wexford, and Tiger Roll can be the star of the show in the featured MW Hickey Memorial Chase.
Elliott was the chief beneficiary of Gigginstown’s decision to pull their horses out of Willie Mullins’s yard and he has his string in fine form as he makes a real push to usurp the perennial champion trainer.
Tiger Roll looks the one to beat in the Listed chase as he has a 9lb cushion over his nearest rival on official marks in the two-mileseven-furlong event.
The Munster National winner ran a fine race in a decent novice contest at Cheltenham 10 days ago and looks the clear pick on recent form.
Venitien De Mai didn’t run too badly on his return at Limerick earlier in the month but needs a real test of stamina to be seen at his best.
It’s hard to look past Ball D’arc for the Elliott/Gigginstown team in the beginners’ chase.
The French-bred ran really well in Grade Three company at Punchestown last time when chasing home Three Stars and it would be disappointing if he didn’t get off the mark over fences now.
Elliott saddles an interesting newcomer in the opener in the shape of Swordfight.
The former David Wachman-trained gelding was a consistent sort on the level and looks a nice type to go hurdling with. It may pay to side with Elliott’s other runner Sanibel Island, however, given his experience.
He fell when a short-priced favourite at Gowran last time but his debut effort over timber, when getting within three-quarters-ofa-length of a smart sort in Aspen Colorado, was a good effort.
A repeat of that should make him the one to beat in the two-mile contest and it looks significant that Ruby Walsh takes the mount.
Walsh has a strong book of rides and he dons the Gigginstown colours twice, on Ball D’arc and on Burndown in the other maiden hurdle. Henry de Bromhead trains Burndown, who showed a lot more when tried over timber at Fairyhouse on his return, just giving way on the run-in to Tinos Tank.
He’ll be expected to open his account now in the two-and-a-half mile race.
Galway preview
THE top prize at Galway is the €25,000 handicap chase over two-miles-six-and-a-halffurlongs with a tidy field of 11 going to post.
The enigmatic Another Rebel tops the weights and he has behaved well on his last two starts, finishing second behind Sizing Coal at Sligo in September and then in a higher grade behind Draycott Place at Cork just over a fortnight ago.
The progressive He Rock’s bids to complete a quickfire hat-trick on the back of handicap successes at Roscommon and Galway, by an aggregate of 31 lengths.
With the Gordon Elliott stable in such good form at present, Killer Crow seems sure to have his supporters while Hourigan’s Hash Brown caught the eye at Navan last time when third behind Empresario and could be primed for a big run under Barry Geraghty.
There is a strong field declared for the Barna Novice Rated Hurdle with She’s A Star bidding to take another step up the ladder, having made an impressive hurdling debut at Listowel.
A subsequent victory on the Flat at Navan suggests she is an improving mare, but she will need to be in top order to see off the JP McManus pair Oathkeeper and Joshua Lane, the latter returning to Galway following a win here last time.
The John Mulholland Bookmakers Handicap Hurdle looks even more competitive with McManus responsible for five of the 19 runners.
I’m tempted by a pair of last-time fallers in Kara Loca and Call Vinnie.
Kara Loca was bang in contention when falling two out in the Listowel handicap hurdle won by Garri Rua. Upped 2lb, she has the opportunity to atone here under a good 7lb claimer.
Call Vinnie was a last-flight casualty in the Gowran hurdle won by Coolbane West and was just in front when coming down. The handicapper penalised him 2lb for his misfortune. You’d nearly have to side with him.
In the opening mares’ maiden hurdle, McManus and Geraghty should score with Kalopsia, while the duo will be expecting Free Expression to win the beginners’ chase.
