14:50
Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase
2m 1f
Going: Soft (Yielding to Soft in places)
Surface: Turf
Draw Advantage: NoneWillie Mullins saddles two here and it looks significant that Paul Townend sides with SAINT SAM. The French-bred gelding had some really good form last season as a juvenile hurdler and makes his debut over fences now. He chased home Quilixios in Grade 1 company at the Dublin Racing Festival last year, as well as finishing second in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham, and could be a nice sort now over the larger obstacles. Stablemate El Barra ran a nice race, although no match for Blue Lord, when second on his chasing debut here last month. He is entitled to come forward from that but his hurdling form wouldn't be as strong as Saint Sam's. Thedevilscoachman also shaped with promise when third to Ferny Hollow on his first outing over fences at Punchestown last month and he could prove the bigger danger now.
Willie Mullins saddles two here and it looks significant that Paul Townend sides with SAINT SAM. The French-bred gelding had some really good form last season as a juvenile hurdler and makes his debut over fences now. He chased home Quilixios in Grade 1 company at the Dublin Racing Festival last year, as well as finishing second in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham, and could be a nice sort now over the larger obstacles. Stablemate El Barra ran a nice race, although no match for Blue Lord, when second on his chasing debut here last month. He is entitled to come forward from that but his hurdling form wouldn't be as strong as Saint Sam's. Thedevilscoachman also shaped with promise when third to Ferny Hollow on his first outing over fences at Punchestown last month and he could prove the bigger danger now.