Sorceror's Naas appeal
Wednesday November 25 2009
Irish racegoers are well catered for today with a splendid jumping fixture on offer at Naas - subject to a precautionary morning inspection - and Dundalk later hosting the penultimate session of the flat campaign.
The Kildare track, which hosts a card worthy of any weekend fixture, has opted to bypass the fence past the stands during the three 'chases down for decision, most notably the Beginners event over the minimum trip. This contest, which went to the favourite Made In Taipan 12 months ago, features the return to action of Edward Harty's stable star Captain Cee Bee, which hasn't been seen in public for 600 days.
Pulled up at Aintree following a famous Cheltenham Festival victory over Binocular, the eight-year-old has been given ample time to make a full recovery from that reverse which has delayed his chasing career.
Andrew McNamara's mount, which ideally would prefer a sounder surface, faces a tough assignment on his comeback, with another former Cheltenham hero Nicanor among several well-regarded rivals.
Lightly-raced Apt Approach, as well as former smart flat and hurdles competitor Victram and recent Thurles casualty Zaarito, take their chances, along with course specialist An Cathaoir Mor and Sorceror.
The latter pair deserved to earn place money over this afternoon's route at the last meeting in the race which was won by River Liane and that outing could prove of particular benefit now in the prevailing heavy ground.
relish
The year-younger Sorceror might reverse those placings, having demonstrated a distinct relish for the larger obstacles that day, when Robbie Moran capably deputised for Davy Russell. The Cork pilot is back on board Michael O'Leary's French import, which Arthur Moore has been patiently tutoring with this new role in mind, and that policy could reap a decent dividend today.
The Moore-Russell alliance combine again an hour later when Grand National hope King Johns Castle makes his seasonal debut in the Annual Member Handicap Chase, having missed out on his intended return to Aintree last April. However, his owner JP McManus could be better rewarded here by Perce Rock.
Tommy Stack's charge was exploited to maximum advantage last season and Alan Crowe's mount may successfully concede 20lb to Orpheus Valley, which appears a greater threat than Edward O'Grady's Bringbackthebiff.
The latter's in-form connections could have the answer, though, to the preceding Fishery Lane Hurdle for the younger brigade, despite English import Torphichen's defeat on the flat at Galway last month by Lucky At Last. O'Grady might have identified a good opportunity for the Thomas Barr-owned four-year-old to return to winning ways.
On the flat at Dundalk Johnny Murtagh can copper-fasten his title advantage, with the Meath pilot set to strike in the maidens aboard form choices Wit And Wisdom for Ger Lyons and Michael Grassick's Majestic Pearl.
Meanwhile, a waterlogged Wexford have had to call off Saturday's fixture.
- Damien McElroy
Irish Independent
