RACING: Tom Rudd looks set for a triumphant return to the Knife Edge hot seat on the opening day of the Punchestown festival, Brian O'Connorreports.
Just seven line up for the BMW Chase which, without the presence of the Champion Chase runner-up Native Upmanship, looks a relatively cheap Grade One.
Knife Edge provides the quality to the two-mile highlight, being officially rated 11lb better than his nearest rival, and it would be a sweet victory for his rider if he wins.
Rudd lost out to Paul Carberry at Cheltenham, where the JP McManus-owned horse disappointed in sixth behind Flagship Uberalles. But trainer Michael O'Brien dismisses that effort as a once off.
"Things just didn't work out for him. He didn't take to the couple of days staying over there. It was a very busy yard and he didn't eat or drink well. Plus, it was the second day when we had the worst of the ground," the local trainer said yesterday.
Carberry is on Strong Run this time and the Meade runner came out best from Killultagh Storm and Fadoudal Du Cochet.
The latter's trainer, Arthur Moore, said of his Grand Annual winner yesterday: "It was a very good run giving weight away to the other two. But Knife Edge does look the one to beat."
The Rudd-O'Brien-McManus team also look set to play a significant role in the day's other Grade One race, the Evening Herald Champion Novice Hurdle.
They run Goss, who faded badly to third behind Scottish Memories at Fairyhouse but who is expected to do much better now.
"Goss had a touch of the virus at Fairyhouse," O'Brien said.
"A few of ours didn't fire at that meeting and we took their bloods. He seems much better now and he should run a much better race."
The main opposition looks to be provided by Adamant Approach, who was one of the hard-luck stories at Cheltenham after a last-flight fall against Like-A-Butterfly.
Willie Mullins said yesterday: "Ruby (Walsh) was confident he would have won as he was only just going for him. But that's gone now.
"Adamant Approach has been good since but the only thing is all the rain we've had recently. I would prefer drier ground."
Ballyhampshire Boy is also on a retrieval mission, having been brought down at the second last in the SunAlliance but a comparatively light season to date could see Goss figure with a big shout.
A total of six British-trained horses are scheduled to go in the handicap hurdle including the Pipe duo, Caesar's Palace and Cesaria.
Nicky Henderson runs the topweight Dark Shell, whose presence on 12st could benefit Farinel. The Moore runner was a good second at Liverpool after meeting interference on the turn in.
Just five go in the Grade Three novice chase, where the Gowran scorer, Copernicus, is 4lb wrong officially with the Irish Grand National sixth, Oa Baldixe. The ratings might be misleading as regards this result, however.
It should also pay keep an eye on the bumper, where Dermot Weld has the Fairyhouse fourth, Govamix, in against some well connected newcomers. The French -bred, however, looks open to significant improvement.
Native Upmanship sidesteps today's BMW Chase in favour of another clash with Florida Pearl in tomorrow's Heineken Gold Cup.
The two stars have swapped narrow Durkan Chase victories at Punchestown in the past and trainer Arthur Moore is keen for a crack at the festival highlight.
"I just think he is entitled to a crack at the big one having got very close to Florida Pearl twice before. Hopefully it will add to the colour of the race and it will also give us an idea about next year and maybe going for the King George," Moore said yesterday.
Willie Mullins reported yesterday that Ruby Walsh will be on board Alexander Banquet in the Heineken, with Barry Geraghty retaining the ride on Florida Pearl.
"The recent rain we have had will have helped Alexander Banquet. Both horses seem to be in good shape," he said.
