Improving Psycho could earn Grade One spurs

RIDING AN inexperienced novice chaser rejoicing under the name of Psycho might not on the face of it seem to be an overly attractive proposition but Davy Russell’s chances of Grade One glory on that same horse at Punchestown this evening look real enough.

The Tony Martin-trained nine- year-old is among a field of 10 for the €90,000 Ryanair Chase and although the likes of Captain Cee Bee and Osana have bigger profiles over fences, an improver is always a dangerous opponent at this stage of the season. Psycho looks to fit that bill.

The former high-class handicapper over hurdles has run just three times over fences but has won the last two, including when easily winning a handicap at Fairyhouse 17 days ago.

After that Martin enthused Psycho is “so natural and nimble over his fences for a novice. You’d swear he’d been doing this for 10 years!”

Yesterday the Co Meath trainer said: “I think he deserves a shot at a better race now. Certainly he is coming here fresher than most having had only two runs since Christmas. A lot of his form is on soft but it is not going to be too quick. I’m hoping for a big run. It will tell us whether he will be in handicaps next year or running in the big races.”

Captain Cee Bee was a banker for many in the Arkle at Cheltenham where he burst a blood vessel, something that is hardly encouraging for his chances today, while the English raider, Riverside Theatre, owned by Irish actor Jimmy Nesbitt, managed only fifth in the Arkle. Osana was third in that race, and has finished runner-up to Tataniano at Aintree since, which is a busy schedule so Psycho looks a bet to earn his Grade One spurs this evening.

Almost four and a half miles around Punchestown’s famous banks course for the La Touche Cup will be the probable spectacle highlight of the day and the banks king Enda Bolger is represented by three runners as he attempts to win the marathon for a 12th time.

Nina Carberry is on Freneys Well but the Bolger number one looks to be L’Ami who was runner- up at Cheltenham and who can concede weight all round.

Truckers Delight should relish ground conditions in the two-mile handicap chase while the same comment should apply to the Cheltenham seventh Bishopsfurze who lines up for the Mullins team in the concluding bumper.

Second day figures

DAY TWO hosted a rare boost in attendance figures, with a crowd of 17,057, up 811 on last year.

Pool betting from Britain and France also contributed to an increase in Tote betting, with yesterday’s figure of €818,476 up from €718,123. One lucky Jackpot punter scooped a pot of €89,190.

Bookmaker turnover was down from last year’s €2,049,000 to €1,718,320.