5:00 – Fairyhouse –
Irish Grand National, 3m5f
After a successful Cheltenham Festival and Easter, we turn
our thoughts to the close of the jumps season with this bonus Whistling Shrew,
focussing solely on the Irish Grand National, which should whet the appetite
for the big event at Aintree in a fortnight’s time!
There is a wide open contest as ever for the Irish Grand
National with 29 expected to go to post including last year’s winner Thunder
and Roses. Gigginstown will be hopeful of following up again with no fewer than
8 of the runners going in their colours. If only we knew the pecking order as
far as hat colours were concerned beyond the first two it would make this a bit
easier, but we can probably assume the purple jacket and red hat combo of Wrath
of Titans puts him somewhere near the bottom of that list.
J P McManus runs a meagre 4, with Kim Muir winner Cause of
Causes topping the weights. Noel Meade only sent 2 horses to Cheltenham both of
who ran well and he has a couple of likeable sorts here in Bonny Kate and Tulsa
Jack. They are two of several who seem likely sorts in a race that often goes
to experienced progressive novices.
Shrew’s Shrewdies
4 Against The Field: Venetian
De Mai 9/1, Another Hero 11/1, Bless The Wings 16/1, My Murphy 16/1
Runner By Runner
Guide
1. Cause of Causes
Ridden by Barry Geraghty today after
quality Cheltenham win. Forecast rain not in his favour and didn’t run to his
best last year at Fairyhouse. It would take a big weight carrying performance
to go close here.
2. Mala Beach
Will go well on the softer ground. A lot of
weight to carry but has gone well here before and would’ve won the Bobby Jo if
he didn’t fall at the last time out. Not hugely experienced and progression
seems to have eased. Considered but others preferred.
3. My Murphy
Form seemed to drop off slightly when asked
to step up to CD last year. Better over a slightly shorter trip. Does hold Mala
Beach based on their Thyste’s form and will prefer conditions. Has a lot of
runs under his belt but still seems to be progressing. Shortlisted.
4. Living Next Door
Won the Paddy Power in 2014, best form
seemed to have come at Cheltenham last year. Would be surprised if he was up to
this.
5. Sub Lieutenant
Bryan Cooper’s choice of the 8 – Largely consistent
over 6 chase starts so far and fair to assume still progressing, not badly
treated, considered and shortlisted.
6. Thunder and Roses
Put up a career best when winning this last
year with Katie Walsh in the saddle. Has David Mullins onboard this year and would
be the first horse to double up since Brown Lad won ¾ from 1975-78. His form
this season though has been patchy at best. His last run showed a little
promise but you’d really want to see more. Others preferred.
7. Bonny Kate*
Jumps beautifully and will most likely go
from the front. Seems fairly well treated and in with a chance. Has proven form
over a long distance backed up by her Punchestown win and looked like she was
still progressive when making it a hattrick at Limerick last time out. Shortlisted.
8. Rogue Angel
Has failed to complete in 4 starts over
longer than 3m since 2014. Leopardstown 4th was fine but more needed
and no evidence to suggest it’s coming
9. Russe Blanc
Kerry Lee scored here first grade 1 success
here yesterday with Kylemore Lough and Russe Blanc doesn’t look too badly
treated to attempt following up. A very likeable stayer who may find himself
outpaced, but I’d expect him to get around and give a good account given latest
Warwick win on heavy. Considered, especially if the rains come.
10. Venetian De Mai
Has risen steeply in the weights for win at
Naas last time out. This will be only his 5th start over fences but
he was a consistent sort over hurdles and more progression surely to come.
Shortlisted.
11. Another Hero
Even less experienced than Venetian De Mai
with just two chase runs under his belt, but they were both wins. Jonjo O’Neill
knows what it takes to win this. There is a fear this may be too much too soon,
but shortlisted nonetheless.
12. Baie Des Iles
Can’t decide if he’s a hurdler or chaser,
form not quite up to these. Others preferred.
13. Bless The Wings
A favourite of mine and he ran quite well
in 3rd in the cross country at Cheltenham – Ruby Walsh rides which
is a positive. He’s an old boy now at 11 but if he can reproduce his Cheltenham
run or his CD win from November he’ll go close – chance at hitting the frame at
a price. Shortlisted.
14. Cantlow
Fairly regressive for some time now. May
catch him on an on day but those are becoming harder to come by nowadays.
15. Folsom Blue
Whatever the yellow cap represents it’s
probably not the same as the yellow jersey in cycling – inconsistent and best
form not even up to this – seems to be better over a shorter distance too.
16. Killer Crow
A lot of people felt let down Killer Crow
didn’t make it into a handicap at Cheltenham after being talked up from a long
way out. Last time out he was second to Empire of Dirt who won well at the
festival to frank the form. Needs another step up but that’s far from
impossible, shortlisted.
17. Captain Von Trappe
Handicapper hasn’t given him much chance.
Others on better marks preferred.
18. Kilford
Has won well last twice at Navan – This will
be an altogether different test. Considered at a price.
19. Raz De Maree
Good stayer but up against it.
20. Unic De Bersy
Was progressing nicely and may have had
something other than the (3rd choice?) blue cap today if not for the
two non-completes putting a stopper in that form line. Could go well if
completing.
21. Jarob
Yet to race over 3m so could be anything
over the trip. 2 ½ miles seems more his forte
22. Portrait King
Too many miles on the clock these days,
others preferred.
23. Ballyadam Approach
Copy and paste from 21! Form not up to the
same standard this year.
24. Bearly Legal
Copy and paste again.
25. Wrath Of Titans
As previously established, possibly the 8th
string…
26. Tulsa Jack
Horse seemed to peak in November last year,
when winning at Cork. Chance if able to recapture that form – shortlisted but I
expect his form has dropped off for the year.
27. Futuramic
Seems quite a way out of the handicap, will
need a step up to be taken seriously.
28. Riverside City
Has the occasional 1 by his name, but you’d
expect this group much stronger.
Shortlist: My Murphy, Sub Lieutenant,
Bonny Kate, Venetian De Mai, Another Hero, Bless the Wings, Killer Crow
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