Saturday's Previews: Dermot Weld gives the former smart flat horse Queen Astrid a first start over fences at Fairyhouse today and it will be disappointing if she cannot make it a winning one.
Denis O'Regan's mount won at Listed level on the flat and was a good enough hurdler to be fancied for the SunAlliance last year.
She returned this winter to win well at Punchestown but hasn't run since finishing down the field in the November Handicap.
However, Weld has already reported that Queen Astrid has schooled well and today's mares Beginners' Chase looks an ideal opportunity to kick off her new career.
Willie Mullins relies on the Naas winner Quatre Heures rather than Mister Hight in the opening hurdle but this race also sees Winged Arrow on a retrieval mission.
Another decent performer on the flat, Charles O'Brien's horse started favourite on his jumping debut in November but never jumped a hurdle and was beaten almost 50 lengths.
Winged Arrow is clearly capable of better than that and there is no one better than Conor O'Dwyer to get one into a jumping rhythm.
Gazza's Girl was one of those who indicated Jessica Harrington's return to form when finding only The Black Mouse too good over the course and distance last month.
Falkenauge started favourite but was behind Gazza's Girl on that occasion and will do well to reverse the form in the first handicap hurdle.
Crackin' Liss was a disappointment behind Female at Navan in December but the Cork winner looks worth another shout in the bumper.
BRIAN O'CONNOR'S SELECTIONS:
1.20 - Queen Astrid (nap). 1.50 - Winged Arrow. 2.20 - Greenhall Rambler. 2.50 - The Roney Man. 3.20 - Gazza's Girl (double). 3.50 - Tiernan's Trix. 4.20 - Crackin' Liss.
