CLOONE BRIDGE has a big home reputation as is evidenced by his starting a short-priced favourite in each of his three racecourse appearances to date. He won once only, when beating Graphic Equaliser at Gowran Park in October, but his recent failure behind Garrys Lock at Naas can be attributed to the distance (2m 3f). He looked to be going well early in the straight but then faded.
Back to two miles at Leopardstown tomorrow, he can, redeem himself in the Glasthule Flat Race, even if the opposition includes Rockfield Native, another horse of the same age and similar reputation.
The tip four him first time at Naas was strong and he hardened from 5 to 2 to 7 to 4 favouritism and beat a subsequent winner and another of tomorrow's field, Thinkers Corner, into third place.
Aidan O'Brien had some very mixed luck with his hurdlers at Cheltenham, for to set against the win of Istabraq and the Champion Hurdle second placing of Theatreworld, you had falls on the part of Finnegan's Hollow and Urubande.
Moscow Express, one of his novices that did not travel, has not been out of the first two in half a dozen flat and hurdle runs and is napped to give 10lb and a beating to Mr Baxter Basics in the Carysfort Hurdle.
Over this distance at Fairyhouse, he produced a pleasing turn of late speed to win from Misty Moments, and that pace can decide the issue against Mr Baxter Basics, who beat Pauls Run over two miles here at Christmas and over the same course and distance was fourth behind Toast The Spreece in a handicap.
Tryfirion goes for a hat-trick in the Harcourt Handicap Hurdle, where another reassessed Naas winner, Kilcoo Boy, is one of his eight rivals. After winning a handicap by a dozen lengths from Appellate Court, Tryfirion was raised 8lb, while Kilcoo Boy, who won a conditions race from an unfancied newcomer, Go Roger Go, was lifted 6lb. This race may justify the handicapper, but I see more merit in the success of Tryfirion.
In recent weeks the novice chases have looked very moderate and our lack of success in this sphere at Cheltenham is not too surprising, The Kilgobbin Novice Chase looks another of the current calibre, and Arctic Buck, who made his run wide of his field to be beaten nine lengths by The Noble Rouge over this journey at Thurles, may be good enough now.
The Grey Mare has the beating of Bawnrock on Thurles form in the Cabinteely Maiden Hurdle, finishing almost two lengths in front of the Aidan O Brien runner when caught on the flat and beaten a neck by Kaiser Sosa. A rival to both of them could be Jessica Harringtons Jack Chaucer, having his first run of the year. This is a horse that may do better over fences if he takes after his namesake, with whom Cecil Brabazon won the first of the war-time Irish Grand Nationals.
Neither of Arthur Moore's two Cheltenham runners, Klairon Davis or Manhattan Castle, produced their recent Irish form this week but the stable who did so well last Saturday, could be among the Limerick winners with Ardshuil.
He was second to his stable-mate, Yankie Lord, at Naas when attempting to give 16lb away and he could reverse Punchestown placings with Scenic Route, who has failed to complete the course in his two latest attempts.
Four runners in the St Patrick's Handicap Chase with a two-stone weight spread looks a disappointing response, but all four of them come into the reckoning and the good jumping of the top weight, Woodville Star makes the mare the choice.
She never put a foot astray when leading from start to finish at Thurles to defeat Keel son and Blaze Of Honour, both of whom had won from their previous start.
The small penalty favours previous winners in the Limerick EBF Mares Novice Hurdle, but I still choose Valentine Gale to achieve her first win over jumps. She was a creditable second to Pat Hartigan at Leopardstown and the winner was only narrowly beaten in a £15,000 handicap at Navan a week later.
