Ontheropes aims to deliver knockout blow

Cheveley Park Stud and Willie Mullins combine with their second runner when Ontheropes goes in the Join Us In January (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race at Fairyhouse today.

Allaho was expected to get the powerful alliance off to a winning start at Leopardstown on St Stephen’s Day, but he could manage only fourth when favourite for a bumper there.

Hopes are surely high that Ontheropes can achieve something better in this two-miler, given he showed a lot of promise in a Punchestown maiden point-to-point back in February.

Sold initially as a three-year-old by Peter Molony’s famed Rathmore Stud, the Presenting gelding finished an unlucky-in-running second in that well-contested affair ‘between the flags’.

The youngster was competing for Denis Murphy’s renowned Co Wexford nursery then, and he was a big eye-catcher in a race that invariably throws up top-notchers of the future.

That was not lost on the sales audience when Ontheropes went through the ring at Tattersalls Cheltenham in March and Harold Kirk and Willie Mullins had the final say at £240,000.

Patrick Mullins will guide the likely favourite and he may be troubled most by the Gigginstown House Stud pair Battle Of Midway and Multifactorial and the JP McManus-owned Castle Oliver

Whatever their fate in the finale, Gigginstown will be fancied to make the right start to the afternoon with the 125-rated Momus and Swordsman in the Happy New Year from all at Fairyhouse Maiden Hurdle.

The maroon and white of the Co Westmeath powerhouse will be carried by Jack Kennedy on Roaring Bull in the Follow Fairyhouse On Social Media Beginners Chase.

Gordon Elliott also fields Eshtiaal in this five-runner event, where Edward O’Grady’s Great Khan will have his supporters as well.

Meanwhile, Capture The Drama attempts to triumph in the Introducing Racing TV Handicap Chase for the third year in succession. Aengus King has booked Katie O’Farrell for the spin on the 11-year-old.