Moon Over Germany might have the edge over more experienced stablemate Ordinary World in the Hollymount Nursing Home Chase, twin feature of tonight’s jumps card in Ballinrobe.
Henry de Bromhead’s charge relishes some ‘juice’ in the ground and was withdrawn from scheduled
engagements at both Galway and Killarney in recent weeks, due to unsuitably good ground conditions.
But, if given the go-ahead, the eight-year-old, a spectacular winner in Aintree back in April, might prove hard to beat as he bids for a second success over the bigger obstacles.
Having bumped into the likes of Getabird and Paloma Blue in beginners’ events, Philip Reynolds’ chestnut came good in style over in Aintree, when making most of the running to slam Lady Buttons by ten lengths in the Grade 3 Close Brothers Red Rum Handicap Chase.
That win was achieved off an English mark of 136 and the selection is now rated 147 as, with Rachael Blackmore again in the saddle, he faces stablemate Ordinary World, which has campaigned largely in Grade 1 and Grade 2 company in recent season.
That included a creditable second to Min in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Dublin Chase at the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown in February.
But Ordinary World hasn’t won since landing his beginners at Fairyhouse in October 2016 and, although rated 3lb. superior to Moon Over Germany, he might struggle here against his stable-companion.
Also in the field is last year’s winner Rocky Court, plus the Willie Mullins-trained mare Listen Dear, well-beaten in a recent flat maiden in Tramore but, back over fences, sure to produce a much better effort here.
Earlier, Brendan Duke’s Let The Heirs Walk, a solid third behind Here For The Craic and subsequent winner Give Battle in Cork last time, has rock-solid each-way claims in the other €20,000 event on the card, the KPMG Handicap Hurdle.
The Dick Donohoe-trained mare Shantelle deservedly returned to winning ways in Killarney on Friday when making virtually all to beat Cailean’s Angel.
The ten-year-old has gone up 8lb. for that win, but races here under a 5lb. mandatory penalty and, if she’s in the same sort of form, Katie O’Farrell’s mount should go close.
Gavin Cromwell’s Father Ailbhe, runner-up to the prolific One Cool Poet on the flat in Galway, has obvious prospects in the opening Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle on the evidence of his fourth to subsequent winner Zoffalee in a handicap hurdle at this venue last time.
Peter O’Hehir's tips
5.10. Father Ailbhe
5.40. Let The Heirs Walk
6.10. Sizing Malbay
6.40. Shantelle
7.10. Moon Over Germany (Nap)
7.40. Stoneford
8.10. Suvrella
Next Best
5.10. Make The Switch
5.40. Bothar Dubh
6.10. Benefit Run
6.40. Herbiegoesbananas
7.10. Ordinary World
7.40. Aherlow
8.10. Jelona
Double: Father Ailbhe and Moon Over Germany.
O’Hehir’s Longshot: Humps And Bumps (6.40.)
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