RACING:IT MIGHT not be Cheltenham but today's Grade Two feature at Thurles can provide Folsom Blue with the most of €40,000 worth of consolation.
Conor O’Dwyer’s stable star is among the leading Irish contenders in ante-post betting for the Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle the week after next but a trip to the Cotswolds was all but ruled out by the trainer yesterday.
Instead Folsom Blue, winner of his last three races, is among half a dozen lining up for the Boylesports Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle. Michael O’Leary’s Gigginstown Stud colours will also be carried by Toostrong but it is Folsom Blue that will be ridden by Davy Russell.
Describing as unlikely a trip to Cheltenham, O’Dwyer reported yesterday: “Mine’s only five and there is a bigger picture with him, but I probably wouldn’t have targeted tomorrow if I thought we were going to go over.”
Ruby Walsh is on Hats And Heels in the big race but could have better luck in the following maiden hurdle where the frustrating King Of The Refs will rarely get a better opportunity.
Walsh is also on board Dare To Doubt who can make it third time lucky over fences.
– BRIAN O’CONNOR
