The unexposed Lucky Zebo gets the vote in a tricky looking Galway Plate Trial at Kilbeggan on Monday evening.
Henry de Bromhead’s charge makes just his third outing over fences in the €21,000 contest and could be on a nice mark.
He was impressive when winning his beginners’ chase here last July and had just one further outing over fences, when slightly unlucky in running at Wexford.
The Yorgunnabelucky gelding was giving weight away to the front two that day and the winner, Joyeux Machin, got a mark of 136 afterwards while the runner-up, Effernock Fizz, was rated 134.
Lucky Zebo has gone on to win twice over hurdles since that run in September, most recently at Cork in late March.
He didn’t run too badly when seventh in a competitive event at Punchestown early last month and could be nicely treated now back over fences off this mark of 133.
Optional Mix could be a danger off a light weight, despite being a few pounds out of the handicap proper.
The mare ran well here just over two weeks ago when chasing home the well handicapped Mousey Brown and that form has been given a boost by the winner since.
De Bromhead may also be able to strike with Sam Magee in the three-mile handicap hurdle a couple of races earlier.
This Jet Away gelding came good in style over timber at Wexford in April and there looks scope for further improvement from the seven-year-old.
He went up 7lb for beating Givehimthehonour by seven lengths and still looks nicely treated now off a mark of 116.
Gordon Elliott could make a good start on the card.
Instant Tendance is set to be a short price in the opening mares’ hurdle where she appears to be comfortably best on official ratings.
In the following ‘unplaced’ maiden hurdle, Irina’s Path catches the eye on his first outing for the Cullentra handler.
The Coastal Path gelding hinted at ability in a few runs last year, particularly when eighth in a decent maiden hurdle at Navan last September.
Elliott has a good record of extracting improvement from horses picked up from other yards and the six-year-old should be able to make an impression now at this level.
SELECTIONS
4.45 Instant Tendance
5.15 Irina’s Path (Dbl)
5.45 Tramps Like Us
6.15 Kilashee
6.45 Sam Magee
7.15 Ashdale Bob
7.45 Lucky Zebo (Nap)
8.15 Nelson Muntz
