A beaten odds-on favourite in the ‘Turners’ at Cheltenham, Mighty Potter will be expected to make amends in the Grade 1 WillowWarm Gold Cup at Fairyhouse today.
Already a four-time Grade 1 winner, including an impressive display in the ‘Drinmore’ over this course and distance back in early December, Mighty Potter disappointed at Cheltenham, although beaten only three lengths behind Stage Star, with one of today’s main rivals Appreciate It a half-length away in fourth.
Apparently outpaced at a crucial stage, ‘Potter’ didn’t appear to travel as strongly as normal, made a slight mistake two out, didn’t enjoy the clearest of runs and was switched but, worryingly, hung right on the run-in.
After all of that, he still plugged on to finish a close third and is expected to confirm form with Appreciate It, who also hung at a crucial stage.
Successful twice over fences, Appreciate It was previously beaten more than ten lengths when third to El Fabiolo in the Irish Arkle at Leopardstown.
A lot will depend on how these two have come out of their Cheltenham exertions. But, on overall chase form, notably his impressive wins in the ‘Drinmore’ and the Ladbrokes Novice Chase at Leopardstown, Mighty Potter gets the vote.
In the earlier Grade 1 Honeysuckle Mares Novice Hurdle, the Henry de Bromhead-trained Magical Zoe might prove an appropriate winner.
A Grade 3 winner at Down Royal back in November, ran a cracker and didn't enjoy the best of luck when runner-up to You Wear It Well in the ‘mares novice’ at Cheltenham and will be expected to confirm form with Halka Du Tabert (third), Princess Zoe (fifth) and Shecouldbeanything (sixth) here, stepping-up in trip.
That form ties in with the chief Mullins hope Ashroe Diamond, winner of the ‘Solerina’ here before swerving Cheltenham due a minor hold-up.
Paul Townend’s mount boasts Grade 1 placed form against the boys, behind Marine Nationale in the ‘Royal Bond’ and Facile Vega at Leopardstown over Christmas, but, over this trip, might not cope with Adrian Heskin’s mount Magical Zoe.
Willie Mullins might land the Grade 2 Café En Sein Novice Hurdle with Hunters Yarn, successful at Naas and Navan before finishing in mid-division, on his handicap debut, in the ‘County’ at Cheltenham.
Mullins runs four in the Paddy Kehoe Ceilings Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) but might have to settle for minor honours behind Gordon Elliott’s Doctor Bravo, third behind Fil Dor and
Sharjah in the ‘Red Mills’ before finishing eighth behind Marine Nationale in the ‘Supreme Novices’ at Cheltenham.
And the classy, Mullins-trained mare Dinoblue, runner-up in the ‘Grand Annual’ at Cheltenham should defy top-weight in the BoyleSports Novice Handicap Chase.
Peter O'Hehir's expert picks
1.25.Ideal Du Tabert
2.00.Invictus Machin
2.35.Magical Zoe
3.10.Doctor Bravo
3.45.Hunters Yarn
4.20.Dinoblue (Nap)
4.55.Mighty Potter
5.30.Brighterdaysahead
Next Best
1.25.I Am Fortunata
2.00.Sheishybrid
2.35.Ashroe Diamond
3.10.Parmenion
3.45.Arctic Bresil
4.20.Union Park
4.55.Appreciate It
5.30.Grand Slam Sam
