NEWS ROUND-UP:JUMBO RIO was out of luck in two starts in France earlier this summer but back on home soil at Tipperary tomorrow Edward O'Grady's Grade One four-year-old can secure the biggest prize of the weekend.
A total of nine horses line up for the €65,000 Kevin McManus Grimes Hurdle and while Jumbo Rio is the youngest in the race he does currently look to be the one in the best form.
After beating his old rival Mourad at Punchestown in April, O’Grady sent Jumbo Rio to Auteuil for two runs when he twice finished runner-up to the top French juvenile Rendons Grace, including in France’s version of the Triumph Hurdle.
Time could tell that Jumbo Rio’s task was all but impossible as Rendons Grace is extremely highly rated in France.
What Jumbo Rio has consistently proven though is an ability to act on any sort of ground and that will be a plus that the likes of Cuan Na Grai and Zarinava possibly don’t have with testing going being forecast.
The Tipperary track passed an inspection yesterday ahead of this afternoon’s meeting where Ejteyaaz can go one better than his Roscommon debut behind Marfach in the opening maiden.
Tomorrow’s Fairyhouse feature is the Listed Belgrave Stakes and on the back of a ‘Discover Meath’ tourist exhibition backed by An Bord Failte the admission price to the Ratoath track will be just €5 euro.
Ground conditions are likely to be testing here also and that is unlikely to be a problem to Snaefell who reverts back to six furlongs after an effort at seven last weekend at the Curragh.
Michael Halford’s sprinter cut no ice in the Minstrel Stakes and finished well behind Three Rocks who is 5lb worse off with the runner-up Georgebernardshaw.
However, the grey’s best form is all at shorter trips and usually on ground with a cut in it. Snaefell gets those conditions now and with Johnny Murtagh riding for Ballydoyle, Fran Berry can successfully step in for a race he won on Osterhase three years ago.
Berry will also fancy his chances in the preceding six furlong handicap on Zhukhov who is back to a mark that he won off at the Curragh last year and comes here after a decent effort at Bellewstown last time.
Famous Warrior started a well backed favourite at Naas on his debut but could finish only third behind Beat Surrender and the subsequent Curragh winner Black Quartz. With that experience under his belt Declan McDonogh’s mount should be hard to beat in the opener.
Worldly Wise’s short head second to Rose Hip at this track last time looks even better now and with a 7lb claim, Pat Flynn’s versatile sort can score in the 10 furlong handicap.
