Tuesday, March 17, 2009

Ireland today

Two Irish N.H.meetings today, and Ruby Walsh, who can do no wrong at present, heads to Wexford, where he can enjoy another profitable day. Tawaag, in the maiden hurdle for 5yo´s at 16.05 CET, and Fiveforthree in the main event, a 2 mile hurdle race at 16.35, are both trained by Willie Mullins and will start hot favourites. Fiveforthree is the most interesting runner on the card, having won at the 2008 Cheltenham festival, and although he is running over a much shorter trip now and is coming off an11 months break, he should have too many guns for Salford City (Gordon Elliott/ SP McCann). Walsh also has winning chances on Holly Tree for Dusty Sheehan at 17.45 and Monte Cinto for Martin Brassil at 18.15. Jessica Harrington has runners here, but her best chances would seem to be at Down Royal, where Dundrum (Andrew Leigh) can take the maiden hurdle at 15.15 and Turtle Time Lucky (Tommy Treacy) the beginners chase at 16.25; in the latter event, ex-German Dalian makes his chasing debut for Arthur Moore and SG Carey and is an interesting outsider. One Cool Cookie (Charlie Swan/ Davy Russell) can concede 10 lbs to Arbor Supreme (Willie Mullins/ Paul Townend) in the best race here, a 3 1/4 mile chase at 16.55.