REDCLUE returns to chasing at Tramore on Friday and can make the most of a massive difference in his rating over the larger obstacles.
The six-year-old has made great strides since joining Gillian Callaghan and has notched three wins over hurdles this summer. He now holds a mark of 108 in that sphere but back over fences enjoys a rating 31lb lower.
He still looks relatively unexposed over fences having been campaigned mainly at trips which looked shorter than ideal. His first try over this trip in a chase saw him go down narrowly here to Dante Anna in May and there looks plenty more scope for improvement.
The two-mile-six-furlong contest doesn’t look a strong race and is an ideal opportunity for him to get off the mark over fences.
Dark Outsider, who ran well to finish third down in Tipperary last month, may prove the main threat. He has been running well over shorter trips but has shown in the past he gets further and he also seems to appreciate good ground.
Cool Warrior won well when last seen but that was back in November of last year and he isn’t getting any younger at 14 while Enniskillen is a consistent enough old sort and could grab some prize-money.
The best race on the card is probably the five-runner novice hurdle and it looks a tight enough affair. Gordon Elliott saddles two and it would be hard to judge by jockey bookings if there is a preference.
The fact that Jack Kennedy takes a valuable 7lb off Cecil Corbett looks a big plus in his favour.
He ran in a hot novice at Galway last time when the front two pulled clear but it wasn’t a bad effort in finishing fifth and he wasn’t knocked about when it became clear he wasn’t going to feature.
This is more his level. He had gained a deserved success at Downpatrick previously after some solid placed efforts. That didn’t look the strongest race on the day but the second has franked the form since by beating a Willie Mullins hotpot at the same course.
His stable-mate Mr Steadfast seemed to progress when winning in Bellewstown last time and it would be no surprise to see the two battle it out.
Ruby Walsh gets the leg-up on My Manekineko who had excuses when beaten in a handicap hurdle at Kilbeggan after meeting traffic problems early. Like Mr Steadfast, he beat Trainstation when winning at Limerick previously and on a line through that horse wouldn’t be far away.
Walsh should draw in the mares’ maiden hurdle on the card when he teams up with boss Willie Mullins.
Escape Footwear took a bumper in good style for the yard at Limerick and looks to have found a nice opportunity over timber now. If she wins it would be a big pointer to Simiel in the bumper as he chased her home on his debut last month.
GARY CARSON
5.15pm: Lettermacaward
5.50pm: Redclue (Nap)
6.20pm: Cecil Corbett (Dbl)
6.50pm: Escape Footwear
7.25pm: Idontdalaay
7.55pm: Collen Beag
8.25pm: Simiel
NEXT BEST
5.15pm: Roman Numeral
5.50pm: Dark Outsider
6.20pm: Mr Steadfast
6.50pm: Lenora
7.25pm: Luimneach Abu
7.55pm: Elis Gury
8.25pm: TT’s Star
