The mares take centre stage on a good card at Naas on Saturday afternoon and Riviere D’etel looks the one to beat in the featured Opera Hat Chase.
Gordon Elliott’s charge was impressive when landing a Grade Three contest by a wide margin at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day and can confirm that form with Allegorie De Vassy.
She put 33 lengths between herself and that rival last time and dropping back in trip should suit her more than the Willie Mullins-trained mare.
The grey looked an out-and-out two-miler in her early days but has stretched out well in recent times and two-miles-five was no problem last time.
She had run well over the minimum trip previously around Navan, when chasing home the admirable Captain Guinness, and this looks like another nice opportunity for her against her own sex.
These small field events seem to suit well and though Elliott said last time that she was better going right-handed she has solid form this way and it doesn’t look like a major concern.
Allegorie De Vassy wasn’t at her best last time, when beaten at odds-on, and is a big danger on the pick of her form.
She had won well in Clonmel previously and her form has been a bit hit and miss.
The big daughter of No Risk At All had stablemate Instit and Maskada behind when scoring back in November and on that form she’s the biggest threat.
Mullins has a strong hand in the auction novice hurdle on the card and it looks significant that Paul Townend sides with Captain Cody.
The Arctic Cosmos gelding was impressive on his hurdling debut at Gowran on Thyestes day and looks like he could make into a smart stayer.
He had been sixth in last season’s Cheltenham bumper and also had a win over stablemate Blizzard Of Oz in a Limerick bumper last year.
The hunters chase on this card is often a big pointer for Cheltenham and Billyaway bids for a remarkable fifth win in the race.
He tends to improve from his seasonal debut though and may be vulnerable this time.
The Emmet Mullins-trained Its On The Line looks the one to beat on this year’s form.
He beat Ferns Lock in a tight finish at Down Royal on St Stephen’s Day and the runner-up has posted an impressive win in Thurles since.
Its On The Line was second at Cheltenham last year as a six-year-old and is currently disputing favourtism for the big race next month.
The opening four-year-old hurdle is another race that has thrown up Festival clues in the past and Lark In The Morning gets the vote in the two-miler.
He has shaped nicely in some hot maidens this season and looks nicely treated in this race where he doesn’t have to carry any penalties.
SELECTIONS
1.20 Lark In The Mornin (Dbl)
1.55 Captain Cody
2.30 Union Station
3.05 Whiskeywealth
3.40 Riviere D’etel (Nap)
4.15 Its On The Line
4.50 Buckaway Freddie
