At Gowran today, Theatreworld bids for a third success in the Red Mills Trial, the Thyestes winner Bob Treacy returns to the scene of his finest victory, and classy Advocat tries to get off the mark over fences.
It's a tasty menu, but for punters the main course will be trying to get their hands on as much of the Jackpot as possible. A £27,439 carry over should encourage a very large pool, and those looking to get the first leg out of the way could do worse than focus on Persian Isle.
A 10-furlong handicap winner last October, Persian Isle's career over flights has been blighted by hind views of the top juveniles, Knife Edge and Golden Rule. Three times Persian Isle has run over hurdles and three times he has been third to the pair. They ran away from Persian Isle at Leopardstown, but before that he was beaten only three lengths and a short head. A repeat of that form should see Persian Isle make it fourth time lucky.
The dual Champion Hurdle runner-up Theatreworld has the sort of overall form that sees him with the clear winning of the feature. However, time has shown that it can be dangerous to plunge at too short odds on this horse who has had wind problems in the past and usually needs a breakneck pace to be seen at his best.
A five-runner race is hardly ideal, and the game and consistent Limestone Lad, just 3lb wrong at the weights, is proposed as an alternative.
Advocat's fourth to His Song at Leopardstown last time was not a bad effort for an inexperienced novice and he is certain to be favourite for the Beginners' Chase. Sticky ground would not be ideal, though, and with the Noel Meade string under something of a cloud, a value alternative may be Zaffaran Run.
Michael Hourigan's horse has run appallingly in her last few starts over hurdles but she clearly has talent and fences may encourage her to show it.
Bob Treacy should have little difficulty maintaining his winning form in the Red Mills Trial Chase, while last Saturday's 12-length Punchestown winner, Choice Of Kings, is taken to follow up off bottom weight in the Foley Handicap Hurdle.
