MERRY GALE would be set to give 8lb and upwards to his rivals in today's Poplar Square Chase. But after he had finished a well beaten fourth behind Royal Mountbrowne on his reappearance at Clonmel just over two weeks ago when starting a warm favourite, his trainer stated that he generally takes a couple of races to bring him to peak. He will be the better for that outing and even if the distance of today's race is a little short of his best, he should fare much better than at Clonmel.
Jim Dreaper also said that Merry Gale seems to run best when looking poorly - which he did not at Clonmel and this observation might influence paddock observers. While expecting him to run a big race, I prefer the John Fowler trained Opera Hat, a marvellous servant who has won no less than five chases and a handicap hurdle over this course.
Opera Hat failed to shine when finishing a well beaten third behind Royal Mountbrowne at Leopardstown where, on the strength of a most promising seasonal reappearance in the Kerry National at Listowel, she started an odds on favourite. She can be forgiven that lapse.
King Of The Gales finished down the field in the Clonmel race but needed the outing which the Aidan O'Brien trained Idiots Venture might now do. However, if this chaser is reasonably forward, he could take beating. Win or lose, Opera Hat deserves to have a race named after her here.
Kawa Kawa did well to beat Bless Me Sister in a handicap hurdle at Punchestown, even if the latter was in want of a race. Pat Delaney's charge might take beating in the Sean Graham Handicap Hurdle, but Pat Flynn may have the answer in Digadust, a decent staying handicapper on the flat and successful in his maiden hurdle at Navan last month when justifying favouritism in a 29 strong field.
Flynn may initiate a winning double with Swift Cert in the Town Hurdle. The selection was no match for Murphy's Malt over this course and distance last time out but kept galloping to finish second. Aboriginal, the easy winner of bumpers at Tipperary and Fairyhouse, is an obvious danger.
Aidan O'Brien can land the Beginners Chase with Kaldan Khan, who ran Stroll Home to less than a length in a novice chase at Galway in August; and recent Punchestown winner Irish Light may take the Rathcoole Handicap Chase.
. No decision has been reached on Suny Bay's participation in next week's Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup. Charlie Brooks' gelding was given a tracheal wash as connections tried to establish the reasons for his modest performance at Kempton on Wednesday. One time favourite Suny Bay was scratched from betting lists for the Newbury handicap after finishing last in the Kempton race. A post race scope revealed blood in his lungs. But the test revealed very little.