GOWRAN PARK PREVIEW:THERE AREN'T too many major steeplechases Ruby Walsh hasn't won but Beroni can fill in a notable blank for the champion jockey in today's Tendrleen Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park.
The €90,000 feature may not be the race it was when the likes of Arkle and Flyingbolt were winning but it remains a prestigious prize that champion trainer Willie Mullins feels is worth throwing a team of five horses at.
They include the Grand National contender Arbor Supreme, who will be ridden by Tony McCoy, as well as the high-class mare Pomme Tiepy whom Barry Geraghty partners.
However, Walsh is on Beroni, who has been a long-time ante-post favourite and whose rate of progress this season indicates he may well be still ahead of the handicapper.
That’s some statement considering the ex-Michael O’Brien-trained runner is 20lb higher in the ratings compared to when landing the Troytown in very easy fashion last November.
Since then he has added a hurdles prize at Punchestown, again under Paul Townend, who this afternoon steps aside for Ballytrim in order for Mullins’s number one rider to get back aboard Beroni.
The Mullins quintet numerically dominate the 18-runner field but there is little doubt where the most sentiment will lie as the topweight Preists Leap goes for an unprecedented hat-trick.
Tom O’Leary’s charge is one of just five dual-Thyestes winners, and one of just two back-to-back winners, and he is clearly a formidable operator on testing conditions around Gowran.
John Cullen rides Preists Leap after Andrew McNamara was injured in a fall at Naas on Tuesday.
“He had a heavy fall. There’s nothing broken but he is not allowed ride,” O’Leary said yesterday.
“Topweight won’t bother the horse. I’m heavy myself and I ride him out lots of days. I think he will run a big race and he will love the heavy ground.”
The form of the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas will have a big bearing on today’s contest, with Siegemaster, who was runner-up to Oscar Time last month, carrying second topweight.
Lochan Lacha was well fancied for that Paddy Power but unseated his rider at the second last when appearing to be short of room.
“He was getting into the race and he was unlucky. He got a bit blinded. He won’t mind the heavy ground. He is a big, high-actioned horse and he goes through it well,” said his trainer, Tony Martin.
Footy Facts will be ridden by Preists Leap’s former jockey, Philip Enright, and comes into the race on the back of a hurdles victory at Punchestown.
He looks well handicapped at his best but preference is still for Beroni, who can provide Mullins with a fourth Thyestes and Walsh with a memorable first.
Just four line up for the Grade Two Alo Duffin Memorial Galmoy Hurdle, including the former Gold Cup hero War Of Attrition, who bounced back to something like his best when third to Powerstation and Oscar Dan Dan at Leopardstown over Christmas.
Powerstation won that Grade Two but his two rivals are both better off at the weights this time and the shape of the race could end up best suiting Oscar Dan Dan, who can score an emotional victory for owner Paul Duffin.
The Willie Mullins-Ruby Walsh team will be hoping the sun stays away today for Secant Star’s attempt on the opening maiden. Secant Star was clear at Leopardstown last time when coming down at the last after trying to jump a shadow.
The weather forecast suggests such problems are not likely to be an issue this time!
