Scotsirish fits the bill

RUBY WALSH should have a stroll on the supreme two-miler Master Minded at Ascot today but the champion jockey can also help Scotsirish confirm his arrival at the top table of Irish horses over the minimum trip at Fairyhouse tomorrow.

The Willie Mullins-trained star is one of seven lining up for the Grade Two Normans Grove Chase and it will be fascinating to see how Scotsirish fares on the back of a wide-margin victory at Cork last month. A drop back from three miles proved to be no problem to Scotsirish as he powered 16 lengths clear of Cailin Alainn in the Hilly Way Chase.

“We were very pleased the way he won the last day so he will take his chance,” Mullins said yesterday. “Ruby said it was quite testing the last time but it will be even more testing on an undulating track.”

It’s also a harder task tomorrow with Watson Lake, Thyne Again and Mansony, who chased home Big Zeb in the Dial-A-Bet at Leopardstown over Christmas all clashing again. Watson Lake has four and a half lengths in hand of Thyne Again and is 2lb better off with that Hennessy prospect into the bargain.

Noel Meade’s horse has been admirably consistent this season and is rated to add to a Fortria success earlier this season. However, he could be vulnerable to an opponent who is still unexposed at the trip and Scotsirish fits the bill.

The former Galway Hurdle winner Cuan Na Grai goes in the Beginners Chase for trainer Paul Nolan but on the back of a good second to Back On The Road at Leopardstown Horner Woods looks a decent bet.

Jessica Harrington’s ex-point-to-point winner had disappointed in two previous chase starts to Leopardstown but slowly looks to be getting the hang of the game.

Clan Tara only lost second place in the closing stages of a Grade Two behind Mikael D’Haguenet at Naas earlier this month and the step up to three miles for tomorrow’s novice hurdle should hold few fears.

A step up to three miles in Cork’s handicap hurdle should also suit Whinstone Boy who has a 4lb penalty for winning at Thurles on Thursday.