MOUNT BENBULBEN was one of the leading novice hurdlers in Ireland last season and trainer Gordon Elliott believes he could be even better over fences.
The seven-year-old gets his new career under way at Punchestown today in a competitive 18-runner Beginners Chase that will be ultra testing on the heavy going.
The prospect of up to half an inch more rain today shouldn’t be an issue for Mount Benbulben who wound up his last campaign with a decent seventh in the three-mile Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham.
“I can’t wait to get him back out,” said Elliott yesterday. “He’s schooled very well and he’s always been viewed by us as a chaser. We’ve not been able to get him away for a racecourse gallop so he is bound to come on. But he looks made for fences.
He was good last year but we hope he’ll be even better this year.”
The Co Meath trainer brings his Grade Three winner Mae’s Choice for the Grabel Hurdle where a revitalised Tarla could be too good, especially getting 7lb.
Tarla was pulled up in a flat race won by Missunited at Listowel where Willie Mullins reported he felt she may not have acted on the gluey conditions. More rain could actually prevent a glue-pot and Tarla looked good before that when winning on the flat and over hurdles.
Ruby Walsh looks an interesting booking for Last Time d’Albain in the handicap hurdle. Liam Cusack’s runner thrived over fences last season and in that context looks to have a favourable mark on his return to the smaller obstacles.
Stocktons Wing put in an encouraging debut over flights at Listowel and looks up to winning the opener against the consistent Everything Zain.
There will be an 8am inspection at Punchestown this morning. Although the track is raceable, course officials will assess conditions due to an adverse overnight weather forecast.
The ground is currently heavy ahead of the seven-race National Hunt card, which is due to start at 2.15pm.
Hisaabaat could finish only third on his return to action on the level in the Curragh Finale Of 2012 Handicap yesterday.
Sent off the 11 to 8 favourite under Pat Smullen, Dermot Weld’s Triumph Hurdle runner-up found things happening a bit too quickly over the 10-furlong trip.
The race was won by Noel Meade’s Leroy Parker (8-1), with Eighteen Summers three-quarters of a length away and Hisaabaat closing fast on the pair behind.
It meant Smullen left the course empty-handed on a day which could have a big impact in his fight with Joseph O’Brien to become champion jockey.
O’Brien had earlier struck aboard Kingdom (4-11 favourite) in the Curragh Dining Hospitality Options 2013 Maiden and Sidereus Nuncius (7-2 joint-favourite) in the Curragh Membership 2013 Maiden.
