FITZHENRY (Paul Nolan) Has been part of his trainer’s recent welcome revival and still young enough to progress further. The handicapper will have his say of course, and he might need a three miles trip to reach the Winners Enclosure again.
HIGH SCHOOL DAYS (Henry de Bromhead) Has now won three handicaps and it should be all systems go for the Coral Hurdle at Leopardstown in January. Could struggle at a higher level, but she is certainly one of the more progressive handicap hurdlers around.
LAVERTEEN (Noel Meade) A decent second to Dom Dolo at Thurles and looks a staying handicap hurdler in the making. Will need three miles.
MOULIN A VENT (Noel Meade) Won what looked in advance a hot beginners chase by half the track at Fairyhouse. Stepping up in trip clearly helped, but it makes you wonder just how good is Invitation Only to whom he was a distant third at Punchestown?
RHINESTONE (Joseph O’Brien) Mentioned in these notes after his debut second, he lived up to our expectations when a runaway winner from a Willie Mullins odds on hot pot at Thurles. Really could be anything, would be an interesting Champion Bumper prospect, and the real bonus is that he’ll be even better on good ground.
SIMPLE STEPS (Robert Tyner) Shows a good attitude and finally gained an overdue success. The three miles, one furlong trip seemed to stretch her but that may have been the heavy ground as much as anything else. Well capable of winning another race or two, possibly on a better surface.
STORMY IRELAND (Willie Mullins) Her rivals would have needed binoculars to stay in touch with this runaway maiden hurdle winner. She jumps for fun, travels well and for a small enough mare she laughed at heavy ground. Should rapidly climb the ratings.
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