HAVING fallen in his last two chases Klairon Davis is on what might be termed a confidence boosting mission at today's rescheduled Punchestown meeting. Under the prevailing conditions he has enough to do under the top weight of 12st but, barring further accident, I believe he has the ability to give the weight to Brockley Court and company.
They don't come any gamer than Klairon Davis, who arguably ran his best race to beat Sound Man in a driving finish to last year's Arkle Challenge Trophy at Cheltenham.
He, Sound Man, Strong Platinum and England's Viking Flagship are geared to do battle in the Queen Mother Champion Chase and that event, won last year by Viking Flagship, might yet be billed the mother of all great two mile chases. Win or lose today it is to be hoped that Klairon Davis jumps round safely.
Arthur Moore's charges are currently in good form and I expect the stable to land a double with Rifawan in the Blessington Novice Hurdle. This young hurdler shaped like a good slayer when leading from the second last to win a conditions hurdle over today's distance at Naas earlier this month.
He started favourite to win on his seasonal reappearance over the same course in November but was hampered before the straight when in contention and dropped back to finish fourth. I take him to beat West Brogue.
Moore and Frank Woods have prospects of a treble with Whale Of A Knight in the Kilcullen Novice Chase. The selection was beaten into third place, but was not so far adrift, by Topical Tip at Naas and may be good enough to beat Punters Bar.
Paddy Mullins has a very promising hurdling recruit in Noble Thyne who fairly trounced his 13 rivals in a bumper at Leopardstown recently. He started favourite to win his maiden hurdle at Navan last month but, weakening from some way out, was pulled up lame. Mr Nightingale, trained by Paddy's son Willie, was runner up to Bolino Star at Naas and may now give Noble Thyne most to do.
Swings'n'things has not been seen since winning a 10 furlong maiden at the Curragh in September but Charlie Swan's mount is an interesting runner in the Dunshane Maiden Hurdle.
The Landenstown Handicap Hurdle is open. Flawless Finish has a lot to do under top weight but she is tough and was only beaten half a length under 12st by Kaselectric at Limerick where It'snicetobenice finished six lengths behind.
