ROCKEIELD NATIVE, a comprehensive winner of a conditions hurdle from the smart New Co at Naas in March makes his long awaited debut over fences in today's Mullinam Beginners Chase at Fairyhouse. Aidan O'Brien's charge should do well in this sphere and will probably be backed to beat The Latvian Lark.
Charlie Swan rides three horses for Aidan O'Brien at Newbury today, one of which, Urubande - should land the odds in the Bonusprint Feilden Hurdle. Murphy's Malt, a very easy winner at Naas last time out, has his chance in the Speen Novice Hurdle, but Antapoura would not have the experience of compatriot What A Question or Trainglot in the Equi Long Distance Hurdle. Trainglot will be hard to beat. Swan, who reached his 900th winner at Downpatrick on Wednesday, is reunited with Lo Stregone in the Hennessy Gold Cup. This good stayer has a sound each way chance.
Aidan O'Brien may kick off with a winner in Fairyhouse's Juvenile Hurdle. Choosey's Treasure was prohibitively priced to win his second hurdle at Punchestown, but finished lame.
Ballinlammy Rose, who relegated his better fancied stable companion Frances Street to third place at Clonmel, may not beat Tarthooth in the Sillogue Novice Hurdle. The selection impressed when making all to beat Radanpour in a good novices hurdle at Navan recently.
Johnny Setaside, third in Navan's Troytown Chase, will appreciate the softer going and can compensate in the Pierce Porterstown Handicap Chase at the expense of Three Brownies.
I expect Dessie Hughes to land the J C's Traditional Meat Hurdle with the promising Guest Performance, and Major Jamie is on an attractive mark in the New Stand Handicap Hurdle, which has attracted the long absent Dardjini.
Anabatic, who, one hopes, will make his mark in good class chases this campaign is noted for the concluding Waterford Crystal/ Down Syndrome Charity Stakes.
. Trainer Bernard Llewellyn was fined £400 and his amateur rider son John was banned for three days after the Ruabon Handicap Hurdle at Bangor in which they were represented by Daily Sport Girl.
Having drifted from 7 to 1 to 9 to 1, Daily Sport Girl raced in the front rank virtually throughout, and was still in with every chance at the third last flight.
But the seven year old then lost her place quickly and was pulled up before the penultimate hurdle.