Warrior set for hat-trick
He is on a hat-trick and should relish both the two and a half miles and the stiff uphill run to the home turn.
The five-year-old has had just three runs over jumps and progressed with each outing. He got off the mark in a maiden at Listowel and followed up last time by giving Supreme Doc 12lbs and a three lengths beating over today’s trip at Clonmel.
Both Mumbo Bay and Kolaphos have 3lbs in hand of the selection at the weights, but Egyptian Warrior shapes as a tough customer and can make light of such a triviality!
The most interesting horse on show is Noel Meade’s Very Wood, who starts off over fence in the W B Gavin And Co EBF Beginners Chase. Winner of the Albert Bartlett Hurdle at the Cheltenham festival in March, he is certain to have been well schooled and has to be the choice.
Little Miss Vic, Ruby Walsh is a significant booking, was a 33-1 shot when a creditable third to Mill Forge and Champoleon at Naas eight days ago and can take the www.galwayraces.com Mares’ Maiden Hurdle.
At Wexford, Aidan O’Brien’s Draco is the fancy in the three-runner INH Stallion Owners’ EBF Novice Hurdle.
He wasn’t disgraced when fifth to Rich Coast in a Grade 3 at Tipperary on his latest appearance and this obviously represents a drop in class.
Stonehall Jack, runner-up behind Sir Harry Cash in a modest handicap at Limerick, can provide the answer to the moderate Garryrichard Maiden Hurdle.
Thomond, impressive when making all to win an ordinary contest at the Listowel festival, might prove the most reliable option in the M W Hickey Memorial Chase.
