IRISH PREVIEWS:UNLIKE SANTA Anita, this weekend's Grade One feature in Ireland places a premium on stamina and although Notre Pere will probably start favourite at Down Royal this afternoon, Casey Jones could be a value alternative.
The JNwine.com Champion Chase includes three cross-channel hopes including My Will who will attempt to secure Paul Nicholls a third win in a row in the €140,000 highlight.
However, Notre Pere, winner of last year’s Welsh National and Punchestown Gold Cup, is very much the headline act although trainer Jim Dreaper expects him to improve considerably for his first start of the season.
“He is straight enough to run but he is a lazy, relaxed horse so hopefully he will improve for it,” the Co Dublin trainer said yesterday. “Ideally he is more effective going to the left. It’s not a major problem but he does lean to the left all the time.”
In the circumstances, taking a short price about Notre Pere may not be advisable while ground conditions will hardly be ideal for War Of Attrition. Casey Jones, in contrast, has won a Grade One on soft conditions and has already scored this term.
Tom Cooper’s Arkle hero Forpadydeplasterer also returns to action in the Grade Two at Down Royal but neither ground nor trip looks ideal and Siegemaster is preferred.
The action returns to the Flat at Dundalk tonight and Pat Smullen can bridge the four-winner gap to Johnny Murtagh in the jockeys title race with victory on Sole Power in the opening maiden.
The Listed feature is the Carlingford Stakes and Charles O’Brien’s veteran Lord Admiral still looks to have enough in the tank to score although the trip looks further than ideal.
Some star National Hunt names will be appearing at Navan tomorrow including Big Zeb who is a 7 to 1 second favourite for Cheltenham’s Champion Chase.
Colm Murphy’s star concedes weight all round in the Ladbrokes Fortria Chase, and should improve for the appearance, but still looks to have too many guns for his four opponents.
Navan’s other Grade Two is the Lismullen Hurdle in which Tom Taaffe runs Coral Cup winner, Ninetieth Minute, while Judge Roy Bean can continue winning form in the For Auction Hurdle and Catch Me can make it two from two over fences in the novice chase.
