Christy Roche can maintain his stranglehold on the flat jockeys championship when he travels to Roscommon this evening for the mount on Night Raider in the International Race. The six-times former champion is currently on the 71 mark, 15 clear of the current champion Johnny Murtagh and while the majority of his tally have been provided by Aidan O'Brien, the contribution of Charles O'Brien's Curragh yard has also been significant. So much was obvious at Leopardstown eight days ago when Night Raider absolutely bolted in by nine lengths in a 12furlong maiden from the favourite Moving On Up. Roche had to work very briefly to stoke this Night Shift colt up approaching the turn in but once in overdrive, Night Raider scooted clear at his leisure.
It's unlikely to be that easy again tonight with the Stakes-placed Carnelly and the Ballinrobe winner Darbella in opposition but on his Leopardstown run Night Raider is impossible to oppose.
In the opening three jump races, Charlie Swan will be fancying his chances of getting among the winners at least once. Distinctly West comes to the Elphin Juvenile Maiden Hurdle with some decent flat handicap form behind him and if jumping even adequately will be a tough nut for the Noel Meade pair, Davenport Silver and True Rock, to crack.
Vintners Venture beat Kayaliyna by a good three and a half lengths at Gowran last Tuesday and is selected to reverse previous Kilbeggan form with Fair Society in the Castle Handicap Hurdle.
At Kilbeggan last month, Fair Society beat Vintners Venture by half a length but Swan's mount dived left in the last few yards of that three mile contest and is now 3lbs better off. He can continue his good recent run here.
Swan will also have his supporters when he takes the mount on Young Dubliner in the opening handicap chase and while Enda Bolger's consistent horse is better than he showed in the Galway Plate, he may just find one too good for him over this trip. That one could be Willie Mullins' Life Of A King who should improve for recent runs and has the valuable assistance of Norman Williamson in the saddle.
