Roberto set to test Vinny

ROBERTO GOLDBACK goes in search of a deserved first success over fences in what could prove an informative renewal of the Larry Rowan Memorial Beginners Chase at Navan tomorrow.

The seven-year-old was a Grade Two winner over hurdles at Leopardstown in January and was beaten just three quarters of a length by the high-class Osana on his chasing debut.

He looked sure to take a hand in the finish when coming to grief five fences from home in the Grade One Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse last week, and trainer Jessica Harrington is hoping for a confidence-boosting success.

“I think he was going very well and it was just unfortunate that he came down, but he’s none the worse,” said Harrington.

“Hopefully he’ll come through that and then we can look at another race around Christmas time for him. He’s jumped round Navan before so I’m hoping all will go well and he’ll be hard to beat.”

Roberto Goldback will not have it all his own way, however, as the Willie Mullins-trained former Cheltenham Bumper winner Cousin Vinny makes his eagerly-awaited debut over fences. Ruby Walsh takes the ride.

Mullins is looking forward to getting Cousin Vinny over the larger obstacles but admits a clear round is more important than the result. “We’re obviously looking forward to getting him over fences and the main thing is that he gets a clear round and jumps well,” said the County Carlow handler.

“He’s jumped nicely at home and we haven’t had any problems with him, so we’ll see. It’s a tough race with Roberto Goldback in there but we have to start somewhere and we’ll see what happens.

“I’m not too bullish about any of mine at the moment as one or two have been coughing and one thing or another. Having said that we had a first, a second and a third at Fairyhouse on Thursday, so we’ll see.”

Mullins admits the likely testing conditions could be the undoing of Scotsirish in the Giltspur Scientific Tara Hurdle. The eight-year-old plied his trade at a high level over fences last season, winning the Hilly Way Chase this weekend 12 months ago before going on to run well at Cheltenham, Aintree and Punchestown.

He failed to land a blow on his first outing of the campaign over hurdles at Thurles last month and his trainer believes he will not be seen at his best until conditions dry up. “He’s in good form and has had a run this season, but the ground will be softer than ideal,” said Mullins. “He’s a good horse and goes there with his chance, but it’s going to be tough for him in that ground.”

Five runners go to post for the Grade Two heat with Noel Meade’s Donnas Palm looking to follow up a recent Fairyhouse victory. Earth Magic, Chicago Grey and Give It Time complete the field.