THE rated novice chase at Punchestown on Thursday looks like an ideal starting point for Aslukwoodhavit over fences.
Connections have had to be patient with the seven-year-old who missed some time after promising efforts in bumpers early in his career.
After a disappointing start for new trainer Henry de Bromhead at Thurles last December he put that well behind him to run out an easy winner at Tramore in April of this year.
The Yorgunnabelucky gelding was far from disgraced when stepping into a competitive handicap on his final start of last season at Punchestown, finishing eighth.
He ran off a mark of 123 then and remains on the same rating which means he just scrapes into this race for horses on or below that mark.
Rachael Blackmore won on the gelding at Tramore and she’s back on board now as he tackles fences for the first time.
It’s an interesting little race and Bua Boy is one to note on his return from a lengthy absence.
The Doyen gelding hasn’t been seen since running in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham in March 2022, where he finished well beaten.
He had been a big improver over timber prior to that and having run off a mark of 135 at Cheltenham he has been eased a nice bit to let him into this race on his return.
Obviously he does have to overcome that long spell on the sidelines and is also tackling fences for the first time.
Daryl Jacob comes over to ride Bleu D’enfer in the Munir and Souede colours and he’s another for the shortlist but Aslukwoodhavit catches the eye and is fancied to come out on top.
A couple of races later the two-mile maiden hurdle looks sure to be an informative race and It’s For Me is an intriguing runner on his debut over timber.
The Jeu St Eloi gelding looked very exciting when winning his bumper at Navan last January and was fifth in both the Grade 1 contests at Cheltenham and Punchestown subsequently.
He already has jumping experience from point-to-pointing and is a classy prospect for novice hurdles this season.
Glenview Stud recently brought his sire to Ireland and it could also be a big day for another young stallion in Poet’s Word.
The Boardsmill resident has proven popular at the sales and has his first jumps runner with Pacini in the juvenile hurdle on the card.
Gordon Elliott bought the British-bred gelding out of France where he won his only Flat outing in fine style.
