A lot of Henry de Bromhead’s horses improve for going over fences and he has a couple of live contenders on the card at Clonmel on Friday evening.
Sam Magee, in particular, catches the eye on his chase debut in the two-mile-six beginners’ contest.
The Jet Away gelding made a winning return at Wexford in April and was an impressive winner of a three-mile rated novice hurdle then.
The handicapper stuck him up 7lb for that seven-length win, which didn’t look harsh, and he just scrapes into this race now for horses rated 116 or less over timber.
Having won a point-to-point a couple of years ago this was always likely to be the long-term aim for the seven-year-old and it looks a perfect spot to start him off.
He beat Givehimthehonour last time out and that rival, also a point-to-point winner, is another who could potentially improve over fences.
The 120-rated Caesar Rock has an obvious chance in this company.
Mouse Morris’s charge was fourth in a better race won by the well-backed Reverend Hubert at Limerick 15 days ago and should play a big role now.
In the two-and-a-half-mile contest, for horses rated 102 or less over hurdles, de Bromhead saddles Garde La Peche, who has been a touch disappointing so far on the track.
The Kapgarde mare won a point-to-point in impressive fashion last year and cost £170,000 after that performance.
She has had three runs over hurdles, with the middle placed effort at Naas the best, and was given the cut-off mark of 102.
Going over the larger obstacles now could unlock improvement from her and she looks worth a play in this kind of company.
It’s not a bad race for the grade though and Farrokh holds obvious claims after a good run to finish third on his chase debut at Tramore a week ago.
In the novice chase over the same trip, Ashdale Bob should prove the class act after a big run at Punchestown last time, over timber.
The dual Grade Two winner tries his hand back over fences now having run on well to finish second in a hot handicap hurdle at the festival last month.
He had been placed in a strong beginners’ chase a few years ago at Navan and should be good enough to open his account in this sphere now.
SELECTIONS
5.20 Bua Boy
5.50 Prince Of Air
6.20 Garde La Peche (Dbl)
6.50 Ashdale Bob
7.20 Lilian Bland
7.55 Sam Magee (Nap)
8.30 Inchidaly Copper
