Leopardstown's €20,000 Ballsbridge Hurdle is small fry compared to Cheltenham's upcoming delights but it could provide a timely boost today to both Golantilla and his owner Barry Connell.
The Carrickmines-based financier always loves a winner at his local track and he is certainly anticipating a more enjoyable Cheltenham festival this year compared to 2014.
Having made the tough decision to not run horses he had with Philip Fenton on the back of the trainer's involvement in the anabolic steroid controversy – including a prime festival hope in The Tullow Tank – Connell then lost Our Conor to injury in the Champion Hurdle.
The Tullow Tank is due to make Cheltenham this time though in the JLT and Connell has until next Saturday to decide whether or not to supplement Foxrock into the Gold Cup.
Gwencily Berbas (Triumph Hurdle) is another festival hopeful although Connell, whose sole Cheltenham festival winner to date is Pedrobob in the 2007 County, describes the Albert Bartlett contender Martello Tower as "my bet of the meeting".
Holds entries
Considering Connell paid a reported €375,000 for Golantilla a couple of years ago, expectations for the seven year old have always been high. He still holds entries in both the Supreme and the Neptune at Cheltenham but lines up against seven opponents today in what is a crucial test.
The complexion of the Christmas Grade One Golantilla ran in was altered dramatically by Nicholls Canyon’s early exit but he still only lost second to Sizing John in the closing stages.
He's now rated 134 which on ratings gives him a major task against both Western Boy and Gerdago, as well as Felix Yonger who is having a first start over flights in almost three years. However there should be substantially more to come from Golantilla who is having just his seventh start.
Connell's colours will also be in evidence in the bumper where the giant Cape City Boy attempts to confirm his Down Royal defeat of The West's Awake earlier this month. He had eight lengths in hand then but Edward O'Grady's runner was keen enough on his debut and has the weight pull now.
Leopardstown's feature is the €50,000 Mercury Handicap, a race Arthur Moore has won three times in the last seven years and the Naas trainer looks to have another likely candidate here in Fever Pitch.
JP McManus has another runner here in the first-time blinkered Colbert Station, one of three rides on the card for Ruby Walsh who will also be on Voices Of Spring for Tony Martin in the opener.
Davy Russell has a busy book of rides at Doncaster today, including Golan Road, one of two Irish-trained hopes in Listed mares hurdle, while he has a single ride at Navan tomorrow.
At Navan Barry Geraghty gets the call up for Badgerfort now that JP McManus's rider Mark Walsh is on the injury sidelines. But Sizing Titanium looks a better betting option.
