The rescheduled MW Hickey Memorial Chase at Wexford has attracted an even stronger field this time and Bronn looks like the class act in the Listed contest.
Willie Mullins’ charge was third in Grade One company twice as a novice last season and sets a high standard in the two-mile-seven contest off his official mark of 154.
The Notnowcato gelding mixed it with the top staying novices around last term, finishing placed behind The Real Whacker at Cheltenham and Gerri Colombe at Aintree.
That’s top level form as we saw with the latter winning in open company at Down Royal last weekend.
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Bronn will find life a bit tougher in deeper water but races like this look ideal for the six-year-old.
He gets a handy 5lb pull off old rival Churchstonewarrior, who could prove the main danger.
Bronn beat him in a Grade Two novice hurdle in April 2022 and the pair both look better over fences.
Churchstonewarrior also won at the same level over fences last season, when taking the Ten Up Novice Chase at Navan in February.
Jonathan Sweeney’s charge has to give weight away to all his rivals on his return to action which may prove a tough task.
The preceding mares’ hurdle has also attracted some smart sorts and Whatcouldhavebeen looks the pick, with Aidan Kelly taking a useful 5lb off her back.
Kelly gave her a cracking ride to finish second in Grade One company at Fairyhouse in April.
She has had a couple of spins on the Flat recently and that race-fitness will be a big asset now in testing ground.
The two-and-a-half-mile maiden hurdle on the card is another potentially decent contest and Intense Approach is fancied to give weight away to his rivals.
John McConnell’s charge won two bumpers, the latest when edging out the well-regarded I Will Be Baie at Listowel in September.
The Jack Hobbs gelding has jumping experience, having won a point-to-point, and looks like he could make up into a nice staying prospect this season.
Henry de Bromhead runs two point-to-point recruits with Rachael Blackmore getting the leg up on impressive Nenagh winner Mossy Fen Park.
This Walk In The Park gelding scored by a wide margin on his second outing ‘between the flags’ and made £200,000 at the sales subsequently.
SELECTIONS
12.20 Ivar The Boneless
12.50 Intense Approach (Dbl)
1.25 Whatcouldhavebeen
2.00 Bronn (Nap)
2.35 Henn See
3.10 Banada Bridge
3.45 Brownstone
