Ahern bids for long overdue Rules victory Denis Ahern, the man that set Timico Cheltenham Gold Cup second favourite Native River on his way to the top, bids for a first winner on the racecourse proper since 2012 when Goodthynemilan runs in the Kilmolash (Q.R.) Handicap Hurdle at Clonmel. Ahern is more closely associated with the point-to-point scene, and indeed the Dungourney meeting has taken place on the family lands at Ballyknock. The County Cork trainer ran Native River at the Dromahane 'point' on St Patrick's Day in 2014. Not many at that stage would have envisaged the huge strides taken by the progressive gelding in the meantime. Native River did show some promise on that occasion, though. He was still there with place claims at least when badly hampered at the final fence. Pa King was then unseated from his mount in a race that went the way of Detroit Blues. Detroit Blues has managed just a Fontwell maiden hurdle win subsequently, whilst Native River has sampled Grade One glory to go with Hennessy Gold Cup and Coral Welsh Grand National successes in recent times. Ahern is dealing with a different class of animal altogether in Goodthynemilan, but there are reasons for optimism with the Milan mare when she goes in this 80-95 rated event. Her fifth place at the course over virtually the same distance, behind Knockraha King a fortnight back, wasn't without merit, and one of the best amateurs around, John Barry, now takes the reins. Goodthynemilan's dam, Calling Classy, won at the corresponding fixture back in 2003, and this one herself showed what she can achieve with a Killeagh point-to-point win last year. She does have ground to make up with Rock On Barney (second to Knockraha King) and Gerry Lynch's representative is a big danger to all under Patrick Mullins. Elsewhere the Munster Hurdle makes for an interesting start to proceedings. With an official rating of 137 to his name, Gordon Elliott's Runfordave has the beating of Hunters Call (126), Ben Dundee (120) and company. Meanwhile Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh could be on the mark with the mares, Kate Appleby Shoes (2.20) and Chambord Du Lys (2.50).
