4.55 Punchestown
Irish Daily Mirror Novice Hurdle (Grade 1) (Class 1) (4YO plus)
Winner €49,600
Advice: 3 pts Inish Island w/o Ballycasey (8/11 Hills)
Ballycasey: Very highly regarded; Won both hurdles starts in
tidy fashion since beating Our Vinnie in bumper, although he beat nothing of
note on either start and this a far stiffer test; That said, how strongly
fancied he was for Albert Barlett a sign of his potential. 
Inish Island: Form of strong heavy ground handicap over
C&D in December (second to At Fishers Cross who was giving 3lbs, Coral Cup
winner Medinas in fourth) underlined improvement since moving to Willie Mullins
yard, and third at Cheltenham to At Fishers Cross is the standout form in this
field; Walsh chooses Ballycasey but this one’s chances as strong as any. 
Morning Assembly: Fine race when one considered that it
was his seasonal and hurdling debut when
second to Sizing Gold at Leopardstown, but hard under pressure when falling
three out in Grade 2 and plenty to find with the top rated pair on RPR and
official ratings. 
Road To Riches: Unbeaten in three rules starts since
impressive PTP win last may, comfortably taking 3m Grade 3 at Punchestown
despite making mess of last; Would be interesting on that form but 59 lengths
behind At Fishers Cross latest and while he’s surely better than that. 
Seefood: Useful sort who has been finding life in Graded
company since stepping up, 17 lengths third at Aintree last time in race that
very much feel apart towards the end; Not sure he wants 3m and this likely to
be too tough here. 
Follow The Sign: Out of his depth at this level.
Jennies Jewel: Has matched her fairly useful level of bumper
form over hurdles but this a far superior level of form.
VERDICT: Ballycasey is clearly well thought of but faces a
far stiffer examination than when beating a poor and small field last time and
stablemate INISH ISLAND should give him plenty to think about at the least. Those two look to be clear of the rest.
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