There is no more in-form jockey over jumps right now than Adrian Heskin, and he can maintain his winning streak at Ballinrobe on board Ballychorus in a three-runner chase.
The mare concedes experience over fences to her two opponents, but like her rider is in fine recent form, and a combination of almost three miles on ground which isn’t too testing looks ideal.
Heskin can boast six winners from his last 11 rides, a run which began with Ballychorus over hurdles at Galway and continued through four wins at Listowel, including one each on Saturday and Sunday.
The rider memorably broke his Grade 1 duck on Martello Tower at Cheltenham last March and two of his three rides today are for his boss, owner Barry Connell.
French import
Heskin is on Tiliver for Connell in the opening juvenile hurdle but it is another French import, Le Vagabond, who could trump those who’ve already run over flights.
The ex-Jean Claude Rouget trained horse may not like ground conditions too soft, but he won two of his five starts in France, including a claimer at Longchamp in May.
Grangeclare Rosa is one of two rides for Ruby Walsh, and along with Blazing West sets a 102 ratings standard in the mares maiden hurdle.
Ma Garrett is having a first spin over jumps but has some decent bumper form and ran well on the flat at Killarney behind High Secret. David Mullins takes off 3lbs and the five-year-old looks to be the unexposed element of the race.
Looking ahead, no decision has yet been taken on whether or not Martello Tower stays over hurdles this winter or is switched to fences. “He’s back in work, but we’re probably not in any great rush with him. He could stay over hurdles. We’re just keeping an open mind at this stage,” said Barry Connell of a star stayer who is a general 20-1 shot in World Hurdle betting.
“Jezki looks like he’s going to be quite good in that three-mile hurdle division this season, but we’ll see. He is a good, tough horse and we’re not in a hurry,” he added.
