Carrie Des Champs will be expected to make a successful hurdling debut in the Hotel Minella Mares Maiden Hurdle, which opens today’s eight-race jump card in Tipperary.
Winner of three bumpers last summer, opening her account in Downpatrick before scoring twice in Perth, the five-year-old Robin Des Champs mare carries the colours of Scottish owner Kenny Alexander, who has enjoyed plenty of success in recent months with his mares, in a variety of yards.
The selection was last seen when finishing third to Yukon Lil in a listed mares bumper at Gowran Park in October.
Assuming she’s been well-schooled, Gordon Elliott’s charge will be expected to success- fully concede 8lb to Strange Notions, beaten a nose in a flat handicap at Navan last time, having previously finished third in a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse, won by Kingston Girl.
The Willie Mullins-trained Brahma Bull, another triple bumper- winner, sets the standard on his fencing bow in the Berkshire Kedrah House Stud Beginners Chase.
Successful at Ballinrobe, Listowel and at today’s venue, Bull won his maiden hurdle in Thurles before finishing unplaced in the Ballymore at Cheltenham (won by Samcro) last year and in the Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle won by Next Destina- tion, at the Punchestown Festival.
Despite a lengthy absence, Brian Hayes’ mount should be very tough to beat, with Joseph O’Brien’s High Sparrow the likely threat.
Elsewhere, Willie Mullins-trained True Self completed a hat-trick of listed wins when justifying 1/2 favouritism in the Vintage Tipple Stakes in Gowran Park yesterday.
The champion National Hunt trainer’s first flat winner of the sea- son, under a hands and heels ride from Colin Keane, readily mastered Jaega by three-quarters of a length, prompting her rider to explain: “She took a good blow and I didn’t want to be hard on her for no reason.”
Wayne Lordan, hero of Sunday’s Qipco 1,000 Guineas (on Hermosa) struck when bringing Linger to land the BetVictor Handicap.
The six-year-old won readily on his first start for Joseph O’Brien and should be capable of following-up while a return to hurdling and chasing is also on the cards for the six-year-old, formerly trained by ‘Shark’ Hanlon.
Peter O’Hehir's tips
5.10.Carrie Des Champs (Nap)
5.40.Chapati
6.10.Princess Mahler
6.40.Commandant
7.10.Brahma Bull
7.40.Rewritetherules
8.10.Tokyo Getaway
8.40.Groody Rover
Next Best
5.10.Strange Notions
5.40.Ask David
6.10.Gotaway
6.40.Effernock Lad
7.10.High Sparrow
7.40.Casey Jem
8.10.Dime a Dozen
8.40.The Brass Man
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