Golden Cross (nearest) - World Hurdle chance.
KEEP AN EYE ON GOLDEN CROSS
By Alan Sweetman
From an Irish point of view, and indeed in general terms as well, this looks the weakest day of the meeting. Irish interest in the Ryanair Chase has been diluted by the decision to run War Of Attrition in the Gold Cup instead, while it remains to be seen whether Tom Mullins will let Asian Maze take her chance in the Ladbrokes World Hurdle just forty-eight hours after taking a tumble in the Champion Hurdle If Asian Maze has suffered no ill-effects she could certainly go well in a race which many assumed would be her target in any case. Although her Champion Hurdle bid came to a premature end, the form of the Gowran event in which she was second on her seasonal debut was franked by a gallant effort from Macs Joy in taking second behind Brave Inca. Golden Cross is an interesting contender for the stayers' championship, not least for the fact that he will be ridden by Derby-winning jockey Johnny Murtagh. A resolute staying handicapper on the Flat, he showed that he could get the trip in his prep-race at Navan but was not particularly convincing in getting the better of Florida Coast. It is probably safe to assume that Michael Halford left quite a bit to work on, and it is feasible that he could get seriously involved in a showdown with the veteran former champion Baracouda and Mighty Man. Having had to settle for second behind Iris's Gift two years ago and behind Inglis Drever last year, Baracouda faces nothing of quite the same calibre now and may just have one more big race left in him even if his powers are somewhat reduced these days. Impek, third to Kicking King in the King George at Sandown and previously a five-length winner of the Peterborough Chase from Gold Cup candidate Monkerhostin, is the one they all have to beat in the Ryanair Chase. The Michael Hourigan-trained Hi Cloy is a highly effective chaser at his best and could get into the shake-up if avoiding error. The Irish runners looks up against it in the Jewson Novices' Handicap Chase, in which Reveillez may strike a blow for James Fanshawe, but the Racing Post Plate could produce another big handicap winner for Tony Martin. Having hit the target with Dun Doire on the opening day, Martin runs Ross River whose two placed efforts in big-value handicaps at Leopardstown during the winter indicate that he is not far off the level of ability required to win a race like this. A good showing by Reveillez in the Jewson would provide a pointer to Billyvoddan who rates a serious threat to Ross River. The Paul Nicholls-trained Blue Business, the mount of accomplished Irish amateur Colman Sweeney, looks the safest choice in the National Hunt Chase, though Irish challengers Mr Babbage and Far From Trouble warrant a healthy degree of respect. There is plenty of visiting interest in the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle, with six runners, including Oulart who won this event last year. The Dessie Hughes-trained gelding should not be dismissed in spite of having finished in rear in the Irish qualifier, since he has shown a return to form in achieving two second placings over fence since then. According To Billy, who was reported to be short of work before the Leopardstown race, could also make his presence felt. However, the best of the Irish may be the Charlie Swan-trained Oodachee who split Standin Obligation and Olaso at the venue in November. Selections: 2.00 Reveillez 2.35 Impek (nap) 3.15 Baracouda 4.00 Ross River 4.40 Blue Business 5.20 Oodachee
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