Bachasson is favourite for the Red Mills Chase© Photo Healy Racing
Having twice fallen foul of the weather in recent weeks, the Red Mills Chase card at Gowran Park finally takes place today with the fine spell since late last week having enabled the track to dry out sufficiently for a seven-race programme.
The admirable Bachasson chasing a five-timer, will be a warm order in the featured Grade 2 chase at 3.50pm and Willie Mullins’ grey has had recent Graded winners Beacon Edge and Cilaos Emery behind him in some of his victories this season.
A winner of 14 of his 24 starts, the Edward O’Connell-owned 10-year-old comes into this race in top form and is difficult to oppose.
Mullins is represented by Antey in the beginners’ chase at 4.20pm and this one was runner-up in a similar event over a half-mile shorter trip at this course on Thyestes day in January. He is likely to fight out the finish, but Cedarwood Road has Derek O’Connor’s assistance and last season’s promising novice hurdler was a good second to The Big Getaway at Leopardstown over Christmas and may go one better.
A novice handicap chase at 4.50pm is the final event over fences and Weihnachts bids to defy a 10lbs hike in the ratings after winning readily at Fairyhouse last month. The Chapel Field who just failed to get up at Thurles last time out having won at that venue earlier in the campaign, looks likely to be involved at the business end as well.
Burgage Stud, based in nearby Leighlinbridge Co.Carlow, sponsor the two divisions of the 4-year-old maiden hurdle and Auckland a son of Burgage resident Jukebox Jury, is an interesting hurdling debutant for Tony Mullins in Division II at 2.50pm having won his final two Flat starts on soft ground in his native Germany.
Last week Matthew Smith had to rule out stable-star Ronald Pump from another crack at the Stayer’s Hurdle due to a setback, but is hoping to get him back for Punchestown next month. Son Of Hypnos a progressive middle-distance handicapper for the stable last year, handles soft ground well and could do well if taking to jumping. He starts out in this sphere in the first division of that juvenile maiden hurdle at 2.20pm.
Tramore handler John Flavin bids to maintain his successful run since taking out his licence this season with the hat-trick seeking Street Value in the handicap hurdle at 3.20pm, and Henry de Bromhead’s Whosgotyanow looks the one to beat in the concluding mares’ bumper at 5.20pm after making a good start to her career when fourth in a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle last month.
