No match for leading Triumph candidate Aspire Tower in a Grade 2 at Leopardstown over Christmas, Wolf Prince should be tough to beat in today’s opener in Fairyhouse, the ITM Stallion Trail 4-Y-0 Hurdle.
Rated 76 with Amy Murphy in England and now with Gavin Cromwell, the Pour Moi gelding has done little wrong since being introduced to hurdling, finishing a promising third to all-the-way scorer Aspire Tower on his hurdling bow at Punchestown.
Wolf Prince built on that effort when justifying favouritism in a modest enough maiden over today’s course and distance, stretching clear to slam Top Line Tommy by 14 lengths.
Stepping into graded company last time at Leopardstown, he came through to chase Aspire Tower between the last two flights and, although unable to make an impression, stayed on to finish second, beaten 18 lengths (four lengths more than when they met at Punchestown), but with solid yardstick A Wave Of The Sea a distant third.
If fully recovered from those exertions, Wolf Prince, with Conor McNamara claiming a valuable 5lb allowance, should be tough to beat.
He was a long way ahead of Gordon Elliott’s French import Aramax (re-opposes) when that rival fell at the last in the Leopardstown race.
And the Elliott-trained Gealach, which quickened well to beat Pasley at Punchestown, might give Wolf Prince most to do.
The featured €100,000 Dan & Joan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase is a particularly tough puzzle to solve, with Ornua and a back-in-action Dylan Robinson topping the weights, having finished in rear in the Tingle Creek, won by Defi Du Seuil, at Sandown last time.
Cases cam be made for most of the field. And I’ll take a chance on Terence O’Brien’s Articulum, third behind Duc Des Genievres in the Arkle at Cheltenham last March.
Well-fancied when crashing at the eighth in the valuable handicap chase won by Sumos Novios at Limerick last time, Articulum had previously run a solid race to finish third to the progressive Janidil in a €100,000 handicap hurdle at this venue early last month.
In a very tough race, Philip Enright’s mount might reward each-way support.
Tips
12.25. Wolf Prince (Nap)
1.00. Strange Notions
1.35. Spider Web
2.10. Articulum
2.45. Viox Des Tiep
3.20. Diamond Turf
3.50. I A Connect
Next Best
12.25. Gealach
1.00. Jazzaway
1.35. Thunder Down Under
2.10. Kildorrery
2.45. Chosen Mate
3.20. Brex Drago
3.50. Five Bar Brian
Double: Wolf Prince and Chosen Mate.
O’Hehir’s Longshot: Rock The World (2.10)
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