On the evidence of his Ballymore’ success at March’s Cheltenham, City Island should take plenty of beating in today’s Grade 1 Alanna Homes Champion Novice Hurdle in Punchestown.
Progressive through the season, Martin Brassil’s charge stepped-up significantly from his smooth s
uccess in a leg of the Red Mills series at Naas to triumph convincingly at Prestbury Park, beating Champ, which went on to frank the form at Aintree.
First past the post in his five racecourse appearances (he was disqualified form his first maiden hurdle win), City Island has kept improving through the season.
And victory today wound round-off a tremendous campaign for owner Sean Mulryan, trainer Martin Brassil and Mark Walsh, on a day when the Kildare man will also partner dual champion Buveur D’air in the Punchestown Champion Hurdle.
Gordon Elliott’s Battleoverdoyen, a Grade 1 winner at Naas in January, flopped when favourite for the
Ballymore.
Ultimately pulled up, he’s undoubtedly a lot better than that and he rates a realistic danger today.
Colin Tizzard’s Reserve Tank made his Grade 1 breakthrough when beating Brewinupastorm and Angel’s Breath in Aintree and, rated just 2lb. below City island, has obvious claims too.
Others to note include Sams Profile, probably better than his fifth in the Ballymore, Henry de Bromhead’s Dommage Pour Toi and the Willie Mullins-trained longshot Royal Rendezvous.
Peter's tips
3.40. Alpha Male
4.20. Real Steel
4.55. Moyhenna
5.30. Buveur D’Air
6.05. City Island
6.35. Stand up And Fight (nap)
7.10. Breaken
7.45. Gold Des Bois
Next best
3.40. Change your Story
4.20. Hardline
4.55. Barra
5.30. SupaSundae
6.05. Reserve Tank
6.35. Burning Ambition
7.10. Gardens of Babylon
7.45. Longhouse post
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