Conor O'Dwyer's trip to Ascot today to ride Jeffell in the Victor Chandler Chase could turn out to be profitable, but if it isn't, O'Dwyer may find himself looking wistfully at what might have been at Naas, where his regular mount, Liver Bird, is difficult to oppose in the Kilcullen Novice Chase.
Trained by O'Dwyer's good friend John Berry, Liver Bird has a good record around Naas, where he won over hurdles, a fact that no doubt contributed to the perception of him as a horse that is possibly best going left-handed.
However, there didn't appear to be too much substance to the lefthanded theory when Liver Bird easily won at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day. Going right-handed and jumping soundly, if unspectacularly, Liver Bird was a comfortable seven-lengths winner over Thursday's Tramore winner, Roundwood, and Native Status.
That's quite solid form and proved that Liver Bird's chasing career is on an upward curve, following his previous run when runner-up to Eton Gale at Cork. Back at a course he likes, he can defy a trip possibly short of his very best and a field that includes Delphi Lodge.
Tom Taaffe's runner is an interesting type, considering he was the only horse to make even a semblance of a race of it with the ultra-impressive Florida Pearl at Leopardstown over Christmas. The margin was eventually 20 lengths, but although Delphi Lodge is decent in his own right, he shouldn't be quite good enough to defeat Liver Bird today.
Richard Hughes and his father Dessie can both be on the score sheet today, although not in harness. Richard rides Puget Blue for Mouse Morris in the opening Kill Maiden Hurdle, and on the strength of this one's promising debut fourth to Good Lad at Leopardstown, he can make the most of the 8lb he gets from Southern Man.
The aforementioned Good Lad came good in that Leopardstown race, pouncing late and fast to beat River Rock by a neck. The Hughes Snr-trained horse had been a little frustrating to follow but ran on at Leopardstown as if the extra three furlongs today will be right in his favour. A similar late late show on the scene today can account for Verrazano Bridge and Moondigua.
Pancho's Tango is a course and distance winner this season and also won over two miles at Thurles, so, even with 11st 13lb on his back, he is difficult to oppose in the Ballymore Eustace Handicap Chase. Bypharbeanri has been in fine form for trainer Donie Hassett this season but can be scuppered by Kilspindie when trying to make it four in a row in the Landenstown Handicap Hurdle. Arthur Moore's charge returned to racing with a second to Bahao here two weeks ago and should improve significantly from that. On a form line through Bahao, he has a clear chance with Bypharbeanri and the 7lb claimed can only help too.
Shuil Na Mhuire was suffering from a colic when disappointing her followers at Leopardstown over Christmas but, at her best, has a fine chance in the Dunshane Handicap Chase; while Kings Banquet and Grey Harford are marginally preferred in the bumper.
