Irish Racing Weekend previewsUlaan Baatar puts his Cheltenham credentials, and an unbeaten record, on the line at Navan tomorrow, but trainer Jessica Harrington has given an upbeat bulletin on the star novice's chances.
Just eight days after a winning debut over fences, the eight-year-old upset some big reputations with a scintillating success in the Leopardstown Arkle last month. Now Ulaan Baatar drops down a level to the Flyingbolt Chase, but despite having to concede weight to all bar the other Grade One scorer, Watson Lake, Harrington is hopeful.
"His win the last day probably was a surprise, because although he had been working well, and doing everything right, it was only eight days since his Beginners Chase. I suppose you couldn't really expect something quite like that," she said yesterday.
Significantly, though, she added: "I think he has come on a fair bit from the last day and he seems in very good form."
A potential headache was removed when Like-A-Butterfly defected, and Harrington said yesterday: "I wouldn't like to have given her 13lb. Watson Lake is a very good horse, and Noel Meade's horses seem to be coming back to form. But at least we are on a level playing field."
Barry Geraghty is also back on board Ulaan Baatar after having opted to partner Scarthy Lad at Leopardstown. That horse ran too free and clouted the third-last before trailing in over 30 lengths behind. Scarthy Lad is 8lb better off now, but a watching brief may be best with him just now.
Of tomorrow's runners, Ulaan Baatar is shortest priced in the ante-post market for the Arkle at Cheltenham at 8 to 1 with Ladbrokes. An impressive display this weekend could see the horse challenging War Of Attrition at the top of the betting.
Solerina is likely to have her last race of the season in the McCabe Builders Boyne Hurdle. It will be her first time over three miles here and she faces a serious rival in Emotional Moment, who won this race two years ago.
Since then, Emotional Moment has tried chasing, but a lack of size has seen him revert to hurdles with such effect that he is now a general 14 to 1 shot to beat Baracouda in the World Hurdle.
"I think he is so happy to be back over hurdles that his confidence has soared," said trainer Tom Taaffe. "He just lacks a little scope over fences, and while I'm not ruling out going back to chasing at some stage, he might not have to. This weekend is a stepping stone to Cheltenham, but the reality is that Baracouda is still there. If we get in the first three at the festival we'll be delighted."
With two and a half miles now looking like Solerina's optimum trip, and with Emotional Moment clearly improving all the time, the Taaffe horse can bridge the 9lb pull Solerina has at the ratings.
Numbersixvalverde, winner of a dramatic Thyestes, reverts to novice company in the Grade Three Ten Up Chase, but even though he gets 5lb from the topweight, Point Barrow, it might not be enough to stop Joey Elliot's mount from coming out on top. Point Barrow showed a good kick to beat Lincam over the course and distance last time out.
Travino can outpoint some hot looking opposition in the bumper, and the interesting one in the maiden hurdle looks to be Lost Time. Christy Roche's horse beat Mark The Man in a bumper here in 2002, and although he hasn't raced since running third to Back In Front over two years ago he still should be closely examined.
