We have three runners in the 2 mile maiden hurdle. Aime Desjy (Kieran Callaghan) won a bumper at Ballinrobe and had hurdling experience in France before coming to us. He encounters different ground today and we will just have to see how he gets on. Shanbally Kid (Sean O’Keeffe) is having his first run for us. He won a bumper at Clonmel beating one of ours, Polo Lounge, who has won twice since. He is going well enough at home to give a very good account here. Feu Du Bresil (Jack Foley) is also having his first run for the yard. He was second in an Auteuil hurdle but has had awful training problems. Hopefully he will have a safe passage around here and go on to win in the New Year.
We also run three in the 2m 5f maiden hurdle. Haxo (Kieran Callaghan) gained great experience over hurdles last year and we think he will handle the testing conditions here. He should run very well. The ground probably wasn’t soft enough for Seabank Bistro (Sean O’Keeffe) at Punchestown last time but the testing ground today will suit a lot better. We are expecting a big run. I Am Rocco (Jack Foley) had very disappointing form in bumpers for Nicky Henderson and we are hoping he will make a better hurdler for us.
Allegorie De Vassy (Sean O’Keeffe) makes his chasing debut in the Dawn Run Mares Novice Chase over 2m 6f. She jumps very well and comes here in great form. It’s a big ask but we think she’s up to it.
Shadow Rider (Luke Dempsey) runs in the 2m 3f handicap chase. He is a course winner and will like the testing conditions. He is not the easiest to train and we are just hoping for some improvement today.
We have two in the bumper. Chosen Witness (Jody Townend) is our first runner for Charlie McCarthy from Fermoy. He won a point to point and will love these conditions. He shows us a lot at home and should be very competitive. Dysart Dasher (Stephen Cahill) is a brother to Dysart Dynamo but doesn’t show us as much as his sibling at home. We will see what he might do in this low key event.
