Enjoy the Journey in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle.
Sir Gerhard might well go off odds-on but he’s got to prove his jumping and stamina are up to the job.
Unbeaten JOURNEY WITH ME (1.30), trained by Henry de Bromhead, looks much better value.
He made it two from two over hurdles despite the snail-like early pace at Naas last month.
His earlier defeat of Minella Crooner and Kilcruit has worked out well and his proven staying power could be key. Have 2pts to win at 8-1.
The Coral Cup looks typically competitive and it might be worth chancing DALY TIGER (2.50) at monster odds for in-form Irish trainer Noel Meade.
He is well treated on his chase form and he was successful over hurdles on Boxing Day. To give weight and a beating to useful novice Choice Of Words at Limerick was a decent effort.
It’s probably not wise to get bogged down with his two subsequent runs as he made mistakes over fences in one and the trip was too short in the other.
Have 1pt each-way at 66-1, with Sky Bet paying out on eight places and others stretching to seven.
The Grand Annual is a tricky puzzle but BEFORE MIDNIGHT (4.50) looks the right type for this 2m handicap chase.
He made it four wins on the bounce when holding off Amoola Gold at Ascot in November having earlier beaten last year’s Grand Annual winner Sky Pirate over this course and distance.
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The form of his length second behind Funambule Sivola at Doncaster in January got a boost when the winner followed up in Newbury’s Game Spirit so it’s easy to argue he’s still progressing. Have 1pt each-way at 14-1.
Willie Mullins has the red-hot favourite Facile Vega as he attempts to make it a dozen Champion Bumper wins but he has never landed this race with his first string when he has more than one runner.
The Irish champion trainer also bred SEABANK BISTRO (5.30) and he makes more appeal on his 2m3f Naas debut win.
If the forecast heavy afternoon rain hits the track he’ll need that stamina but he’s not short on speed. Have 1pt each-way at 40-1 with most bookies paying four places.
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