Pont Aven looks the best bet on today’s all-chase card in Sligo.
Representing the champions partnership of Willie Mullins and Paul Townend, Pont Aven should relish every yard of the extended three miles of the Supporters Club 2020 Annual Badge Chase.
Winner of a novice hurdle in Wexford, Pont Aven made a successful start to his chasing career on the same track last May when coasting home a 28 lengths winner and, more importantly, taking well to the task of jumping the bigger obstacles.
In his only subsequent outing, at Killarney’s July meeting, he faced stiff novice opposition and was far from disgraced.
He finished third, beaten less than nine lengths behind stable-companions Robin De Carlow and Brahma Bull (went on to triumph on the same track last month), with solid sorts Dinons and Victoria Bay behind.
Today’s longer trip and weaker opposition afford Pont Aven an excellent opportunity to register his second success over fences in a field which includes two former stable-companions – 129-rated Cap D’Aubois and Eoline Jolie – and Gordon Elliott’s mare Make My Heart Fly, which belatedly opened her chasing account in Kilbeggan last time.
The other stand-out bet on the card is Denis Hogan’s chasing debutante Moskovite in the opener.
Winner of a Thurles bumper and hurdles at Navan and Limerick, this mare went on to finish third in a Grade 3 novice event in Clonmel, behind Allaho and Minella Indo, which went on to bag Grade 1 prizes at both Cheltenham and Punchestown.
Pulled up in a Grade 1 mares race won by Honeysuckle at Fairyhouse, Moskovite ended last season with a fourth placing behind Elfile in a listed mare hurdle at the Punchestown festival.
Moskovite looks head and shoulders above her nine rivals and a good round of jumping should see her triumph.
John Ryan, a regular in Sligo’s winner’s enclosure, has definite prospects with Father Jed in the Leo McMorrows Memorial Novice Handicap Chase, on the back of recent thirds to The Big Lense and Demi Plie respectively in Listowel.
Tips
1.50. Moskovite
2.25. Father Jed
2.55. Cliff house
3.30. Lord Schnapps
4.00. Allduckornodinner
4.30. Pont Aven (Nap)
5.05. Open to the World
Double: Moskovite and Pont Aven
O’Hehir's Longshot: Effernock lad (2.55)
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