RACING:JP McMANUS recently purchased Dermot Weld's unbeaten Waaheb and that move can provide immediate dividends for the leading owner when the horse lines up for this evening's other Grade One feature at Punchestown.
Fifteen line up for the betchronicle Champion Flat Race, including a pair of British hopes in Big Time Billy and Go All The Way.
Since it was the bumper result only that prevented an Irish whitewash of the second day of Cheltenham, the visitors have to be respected but there are a number of home hopes that would surely have made an impression in March had they travelled.
Weld, however, was adamant that his flat bred horse was never going to Cheltenham, reckoning the immature type needed more time to develop. So after a pair of Leopardstown victories, including one over Jenari, Waaheb followed a tried and trusted route.
Hidden Universe won at Limerick before scoring in this race last year and Waaheb was if anything even more impressive when shooting seven lengths clear of Black Zorro in the same race.
Not surprisingly inquiries from McManus followed and a deal for a horse that cost just 15,000 guineas last year was concluded just in time to help McManus in his race with Gigginstown Stud for the owner’s title.
Jenari has won since at Gowran while Lovethehigherlaw is highly regarded by Willie Mullins despite being an odds-on flop on soft ground last time. Aupcharlie did best of the Irish at Cheltenham, just ahead of Go All The Way, but a lot of form lines keep coming back to Waaheb.
Osana found just Idarah too good for him over an extended two miles at Fairyhouse last week and the step up to two and a half miles for the €80,000 handicap chase should be ideal for a horse that was runner-up in an Aintree Hurdle three years ago.
Willie Mullins saddles four for the Grade Two novice hurdle with Ruby Walsh booked for Bishopsfurze and the trainer’s nephew Emmett on the Fairyhouse winner Lambro.
Paul Townend is scheduled to team up with the ex-French Raptor and although it takes a leap of faith to believe the course winner will operate on quick ground, there is no firm evidence to suggest he won’t and the step up to three miles should be ideal for the grey.
Mullins has two for the concluding bumper and the best of them could be Alfred James.
