AITMATOV brings some Grade One lustre to a midweek Punchestown fixture this afternoon as he attempts to win at the minimum two-mile distance for the first time in three years, Brian O'Connorreports.
Noel Meade’s star faces just three opponents in the conditions hurdle and on official figures has almost a stone in hand on them.
The quandary is Aitmatov’s best form is at longer distances and his last success at the minimum trip came in 2007, just before his career highlight victory in the Hatton’s Grace Hurdle.
There is encouragement to be taken though from his last start when he chased home his stable companion Donnas Palm at Tipperary earlier this month and a repeat of that sort of effort should be enough.
It could be a good session for Meade as the former champion trainer also has Perfect Smile in the opening maiden and a nine-month absence since falling at the last here in January shouldn’t stop the five-year-old.
Meade also has the course and distance runner-up Mickelson in the bumper, while another to look out for today could be Baracas, who can improve on a Cork third to Anshan Dreams in the novice hurdle.
