He’ll have to carry top weight to victory here, but General Moriviere looks one of the lesser exposed here. He didn’t show a great deal in his three starts in maiden hurdles, he ran a big race to finish second at Kilbeggan on handicap debut. He followed up with another strong placed effort over the same course and distance last month and a race of this quality looks well within his compass. A half-brother to Darasso and Sully D’Oc AA, he looks like he has plenty of scope who will probably want further and a fence in time, but is surely capable of landing one over the timber off his current mark of 95.
Bardenstown Lad has shown a fair level of ability in bumpers and could be the one to side with on hurdles debut. Purchased after winning a point-to-point, the form of which has been given a boost after the third won on debut for Dan Skelton, he hacked up by 15l on his rules debut for John McConnell. Third last time out, he probably didn’t run up to what he’s capable of and after a couple of months off the track, may have just needed it. His experience between the flags will stand him in good stead for this. All About Joe took a step forward last time and if building on that performance could be the main danger.
Now in his third season as a novice chaser, Raya Time can finally break his duck over fences. He put together some really good performances over the spring, including a good second to Sully D’Oc AA at Punchestown. A bad mistake four out put paid to his chances at the same track last time out, but it was a good run up until that point. If that hasn’t knocked his confidence, he should be able to go well again here. One Down ran well on his chase debut last time out and could be the one to side with for Exacta purposes.
Premium Package ran well on chase debut and could have too much for his rivals here. He probably bumped into a very good mare in the shape of Politesse and unless there’s something special in here, a repeat performance would see him go very close. Wolf Prince was rated the highest of these over timber and ran a decent race at Ballinrobe back in April. He might just need the experience before getting his head in front, so we’re opting for Young Ted in the Exacta, who showed enough promise at Kilbeggan last time.
Wexford was originally a right-handed track, but in 2015 redevelopment of the course switched the direction of travel for competitors, leaving the course with the unusual feature of the winning post being located past the spectator grandstands.
A tight track, Wexford favours the speedier types that can lie up with the pace, especially on the hurdles course which sits on the inside of the chase track.
