In receipt of 8lb. from chief rivals Notebook and Fakir D’Oudairies, the Willie Mullins-trained Cash Back might prove best in the Grade 2 Poplar Square Chase in Naas.
Forty-eight hours after Presenting Percy’s defeat of Kemboy and Monalee in Thurles, another four runner affair will be the focus of attention today as a pair of Grade 1 winners start their campaign.
Notebook, trained for Gigginstown by Henry de Bromhead, took to fences spectacularly last season, running up a sequence of four wins, kicking off with two at Punchestown, and featuring Grade 1 victories in the Racing Post and Arkle, both at Leopardstown.
He beat Fakir D’Oudairies by a length and a half in the Racing Post at Christmas and had to dig deep to hold off Cash Back by three-quarters of a length in the Arkle.
But Notebook flopped, when favourite, for the Arkle at Cheltenham, never looking happy and, ultimately, finishing a distant sixth, 27 lengths behind stable-companion Put The Kettle On.
Joseph O’Brien’s five-year-old Fakir D’Oudairies scored on his fencing bow at Navan before winning the Drinmore (Grade 1) at Fairyhouse.
And he performed with great credit when runner-up to Notebook in the Irish Arkle and to Put The Kettle On in the Cheltenham equivalent.
The form of both horses is rock-solid. But, as Grade 1 winners, they must concede 8lb. to Cash Back, a course and distance winner here last January before failing to cope with Notebook at Leopardstown in February.
He raced prominently in the Arkle at Cheltenham, but was out of his comfort zone early and had dropped away tamely when falling two from home.
There’s not much to choose between the trio on ratings and, with their relative levels of fitness an unknown, the 8lb. swing in favour of Cash Back earns him the vote in a race which could prove a fascinating tactical battle, with plenty of pace guaranteed – the fourth runner Djingle, like Cash Back and Notebook, enjoys bowling along.
Willie Mullins starts French import Gars Et Noir in the Grade 2 Old Persian At Glenview Stud Fishery Lane 4-Y-0 Hurdle and market confidence might prove a good guide to his prospects.
Another Mullins runner Stattler appeals on his hurdling debut in the Irish Stallion Owners Maiden Hurdle while Gearoid O’Loughln’s course winner Cedarwood Road, an exciting recruit, is marginally preferred to Gordon Elliott’s Commander Of Fleet, in the beginners chase.
Red Gerry, up 9lb. for his win at Punchestown, has a major chance in the Brown Lad Handicap Hurdle.
Tips
12.00.Gabynako
12.30.Gars En Noir
1.02.Cash Back
1.37.Red Gerry (Nap)
2.12.Stattler
2.47.Paranoid
3.22.Cedarwood Road
Next Best
12.00.Captain Kangaroo
12.30.Wolf Prince
1.02.Notebook
1.37.Agent Boru
2.12.Fantasio d’Alene
2.47.The Chapel Field
3.22.Commander Of Fleet
Double: Red Gerry and Stattler.
O’Hehir’s Longshot: Scalino (1.37.)
