Sport

Ventana Canyon will be hard to beat

SEVERAL Cheltenham entries will be put through their paces at Punchestown tomorrow

By MICHAEL O'FARRELL
Sat Feb 17 1996 - 00:00

SEVERAL Cheltenham entries will be put through their paces at Punchestown tomorrow. A small but quite select field has been declared for the IAWS Novices Chase some of whom will be bound for Cheltenham's Arkle Challenge Trophy.

The Edward O'Grady trained Ventana Canyon was favourite to beat Blazing Spectacle, Double Symphony, King Wah Glory and Arctic Weather in Leopardstown's Arkle Challenge Cup but fell at the second last when getting into contention.

He was touched off by Double Symphony in the Denny's Gold Medal Chase at Leopardstown but is now 3lb better off with this much raced but resolute mare. Cable Beach has not been seen since running Captain Khedive to three lengths in a novice chase at Cheltenham three months ago. He and King Wah Glory have already beaten each other and both prefer good ground. Granted a trouble free round Ventana Canyon will be hard to beat.

The Chapmans Landrover Hurdle Series brings together some very promising novices including Galetollah, Akhiyar and Rifawan. I was much taken with the Arthur Moore trained Rifawan when he won here last month.

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Kalona, a stable companion of Cable Beach and bound for the Festival's marathon National Hunt Chase is on a handy mark for the Gain National Trial. This improved nine year old gets two stone from top weight Fissure Seal who bypassed the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup but on his running when second behind Aintree Grand National bound Wylde Hide in the Thyestes Chase would have a good chance here. Johnny Setaside won a novice chase with ease at Fairyhouse but Kalona keeps on winning.

The Aidan O'Brien trained Antapoura had the subsequent Leopardstown winner Talina's Law three lengths adrift when winning at Naas but the latter who beat the well fancied Shaunie's Lady-amiss at Leopardstown next time out was helped by blinkers. Talina's Law who does not hold an engagement at Cheltenham can win again.

. Dermot Weld is likely to reach a decision at the end of next week over the participation of his troubled hurdler Fortune And Fame in next month's Smurfit Champion Hurdle.