The Names Jock has been knocking on the door on the Flat recently and can get his head back in front over timber at Killarney on Thursday evening.
He was collared late on in a hot amateur event at Leopardstown a week ago and this looks like a nice opportunity for him to grab a deserved success, dropping in grade over hurdles.
The Famous Name gelding has a mark of 82 on the level and his jumps rating of 116 looks attractive in comparison.
He had been competing in some good handicaps over hurdles since winning his maiden on his jumping debut at Listowel back in September 2021.
This is the lowest grade he has competed in to date having slipped to a mark of 116, the top rating for this race.
John Gleeson takes a useful 5lb off his back again to ease the burden of top-weight and he has been placed over hurdles here before.
It’s a competitive enough heat though with three rivals coming here in winning form.
Contrapposto is respected after winning well at Cork 13 days ago. He had been consistent without winning before that and should be competitive again off a 5lb higher mark.
Morricone, who was progressive during the winter, is another interesting rival but this ground would be a concern.
Willie Mullins saddles three runners on the card and they all look to have leading chances.
My Great Mate bids to go one better in the opening maiden hurdle having been turned over at a short price on his jumping debut at Punchestown last month.
The dual bumper winner looked home and hosed turning for home then but after a sloppy jump at the last he was collared close home by Donnie Devito.
With that run under his belt the Jukebox Jury gelding should prove hard to beat now.
Mullins also looks to have the likely favourites in the two bumpers on the card.
Hey Boy probably doesn’t need to be a superstar to make a winning debut in the four-year-old contest.
Patrick Mullins takes the mount on the Bathyrhon gelding who is out of a half-sister to a French Grade 1 winner.
In the concluding ladies race Jody Townend gets the leg up on El Fabienne.
The Spanish Moon filly was beaten at odds-on on her track debut at Fairyhouse last December. That came on heavy ground and it would be no surprise if she left the run well behind now.
SELECTION NEXT BEST
5.02: My Great Mate (Dbl) Tyson Fury
5.32: Redwood Queen Instant Tendance
6.02: La Hacienda Major Barry
6.37: Cloudy Fountain Spellacy’s Cross
7.10: The Names Jock (Nap) Contrapposto
7.42: Hey Boy Gather Yourself
8.15: El Fabienne Sporting Glance
