RACING:Trainer James Nash hopes a good run from Star Of Aragon at Dundalk this evening will set him up nicely for the Boylesports Handicap Hurdle at Leopardstown on January 26th.
Last seen finishing a close-up eighth behind Olofi in the Racing Post Hurdle at Cheltenham, the seven-year-old had previously gone close in a Listed handicap at Market Rasen in September. Nash feels he is well handicapped on the level – he won his last start in that sphere at the Curragh by six lengths.
However, the Co Kildare handler is slightly concerned Star Of Aragon might not quite be 100 per cent fit after he sustained a minor problem at Cheltenham on his last start.
“He just came back from Cheltenham fairly sore, he made quite a bad mistake at the last otherwise he would have been even closer,” said Nash.
“I do think he’s well handicapped but he’s just maybe one serious piece of work short. He’s got a good draw, though, so that will help. I’m aiming him at the Boylesports in just over two weeks and hopefully this will put him spot on for that.
“The more it dries, the better for him for Leopardstown – it was heavy at Cheltenham and he still ran well. Hopefully we can sneak in the Boylesports off something like 10st.”
Topping the weights is the Eddie Lynam-trained Atmospheric High, while Willie Mullins runs Deutschland and Moveable Asset.
Meanwhile, Rubi Light tops a quality entry of 14 in the Matty Ryan Memorial Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles next Thursday. Robbie Hennessy’s stable star bounced back to his best over Christmas when pushing Sizing Europe all the way in the Dial-A-Bet Chase and the step back up to two and a half miles is likely to be in his favour.
