Racing Previews - Tramore and Fairyhouse:GORDON ELLIOTT enjoyed a remarkably successful 2010 and can kick off 2011 in similar fashion with a cross-card double headed by Carthalawn in Tramore's Listed feature today.
The ex-Charles Byrnes-trained horse is one of eight lining up for the Holden Plant Rentals Chase and although he is tackling the furthest trip he has ever faced Carthalawn can still emerge best of today’s starters.
He has been mixing it against the best two milers this season, finishing third to Big Zeb in the Fortria and fourth to Golden Silver in the Hilly Way, and still looks as good as ever for his new trainer.
The same comment can’t apply to the former Grade One winner Barker, who gets his campaign off to a belated start, or indeed to the other former Grade One winner In Compliance and the Kerry National hero Ponmeoath.
Around this tight track, Carthalawn’s stamina won’t be stretched as much as it might elsewhere and that can help him secure the prize.
Rivage d’Or has been frustrating to follow with three runners-up placings next to his name. Dessie Hughes sends him to Tramore for the two and a half mile maiden and a repeat of his second to Staying Article at Naas should see him break that unwanted sequence.
Hughes’s main focus will, however, be on Fairyhouse and the Porterstown Handicap Chase which has been Leon Og’s target for the last few weeks.
Now that the race is finally on, the course winner’s chance still looks to be good, based on a 10 length defeat of Boxing Along on his last start that indicated stamina will always be Leon Og’s strongpoint.
That is important now because the three mile and five furlong trip will be gruelling and Leon Og has his share of weight on his back with 11.1.
Elliott’s supporters will note how Trendelenburg is at the right end of the scale in the two and three quarter mile handicap hurdle and how the horse is brought out again quickly after finishing runner up at Limerick on Tuesday.
The point-to-point winner finished four lengths off Ardglen earlier in the week and a stiffer test of stamina tomorrow should play to his strengths.
Enterprise Park has always been a highly-rated horse by Willie Mullins and makes his fencing debut in the Beginners Chase.
There are some decent types in this, such as Bob Lingo, who has proved expensive to follow, while Tim Electric and Cross Appeal are others that will have their followers.
However, Enterprise Park, whose 2009-10 campaign ended in disappointment in Cheltenham’s Neptune Hurdle, has always been regarded as potential chaser and he can start proving the point today.
Dermot Weld gives Sublime Talent a second start over flights in the opening maiden hurdle but faces a decent looking opponent in Gift Of Dgab who found only Fully Funded too good for him at Navan.
Jakros failed by just a neck to beat Saville Row at Down Royal last month and the Downpatrick bumper winner should prove hard to beat in the second maiden.
Burn And Turn represents Jessica Harrington in the concluding bumper at Fairyhouse and the stable runners usually improve for a first start.
Burn And Turn’s first outing held some promise too at Cork earlier this month when third to What An Flyer.