RACING Tuesday 4.20– Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle – €80,000.
The Cheltenham Supreme winner Cinders And Ashes doesn’t travel but the form of his festival success got a boost with Darlan’s Aintree romp last week. Darlan doesn’t travel, but owner JP McManus also has Alderwood in the mix for this race. Trifolium was third in the Supreme and an ease in ground conditions would suit this course winner.
5.30- Boylesports.com Champion Chase – €140,000.
Sizing Europe tries to make it third time lucky and looks to have got Big Zeb’s measure this season. Both hardy Punchestown annuals could dominate here with Finian’s Rainbow not travelling. Sizing Europe would be a hugely popular winner on the back of his Cheltenham experience.
6.40- Growise Champion Novice Chase – €80,000.
If Sir Des Champs makes it to the start-line he will be one of the main attractions of the week. Already favourite for next year’s Gold Cup after maintaining his unbeaten record at Cheltenham, this does represent a step up to Grade One class. Some potential British travellers may make this a real test but the race looks to revolve around Sir Des Champs.
Wednesday
4.55 – Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle – €75,000.
Plenty of the top British and Irish novices hold multiple entries next week but Cheltenham arrangements indicate Boston Bob is likely to take up this three-mile option. He was a Cheltenham banker for Willie Mullins but some of the champion trainer’s team didn’t run up to form last month and it could be argued Boston Bob did very well to finish second to Brindisi Breeze in the Bartlett.
5.30 – Tote.com Punchestown Gold Cup – €140,000.
Last year’s winner Follow The Plan is back for another crack and does so on the back of a shock 50 to 1 win at Aintree where he travelled like the best horse in the race throughout. Quito De La Roque has had an injury-interrupted season but could return here and so might Quel Esprit. An appearance by the leading novice First Lieutenant though would be intriguing.
Thursday
5.30 – Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle – €160,000.
The undoubted king-of-the-stayers, Big Buck’s, again stays at home after his record-breaking exploits but a clash between the super-mares, Quevega and Voler La Vedette, will be one to savour. Quevega completed her own four-in-a-row at Cheltenham while no one got closer to Big Buck’s last month than Voler.
6.40 – Ryanair Novice Chase – €100,000.
Sprinter Sacre is the overwhelming division leader this season and his absence leaves a Grade One window of opportunity. Blackstairmountain will relish better ground while Menorah looked to finally get the hang of chasing when successful at Aintree.
Friday
5.30 – Rabobank Champion Hurdle – €160,000.
Overturn finished runner-up to Rock On Ruby at Cheltenham but this race is all about the horse that finished behind him in third – Hurricane Fly. That failed attempt to defend his Cheltenham crown was the biggest disappointment of the festival in Irish terms and Hurricane Fly is on a recovery mission here. At his best, everyone else is fighting for runner-up money.
6.05 – Cathal Ryan Memorial Novice Hurdle – €80,000.
Simonsig was such an easy Neptune winner at Cheltenham it was easy to overlook how far clear Felix Yonger was ahead of the rest. That was a major step-up on his previous Grade Two-winning form and Willie Mullins’s horse looks to be rapidly on the upgrade. Monksland, third in the Neptune, looks an obvious danger.
Saturday
4.25 – AES Champion 4YO Hurdle – €80,000.
Hisaabaat did best of the Irish when runner-up in the Triumph, form that got boosted by Countrywide Flame and Grumeti at Aintree. If he settles, Shadow Catcher could be a danger.
