DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SUNDAY NOVEMBER 30
1.35 FAIRYHOUSE
A decent-looking renewal of the Royal Bond and Love Me Tender is without doubt the most intriguing contender. Unbeaten in three runs and twice over hurdles, Willie Mullins’ inmate posted a big speed figure when landing a Grade3 at Tipperary on his latest outing and whether he follows up all boils down to how he copes with today’s slower conditions.
If he does, he will probably prove hard to beat but should he come unstuck, KOKTAIL BRUT (best price 11-4) easily has the necessary requirements to take advantage and at the prices, Gordon Elliott’s inmate just edges the vote.
The son of Cokoriko posted some useful efforts in bumpers last season, including when third in a Grade 2 Aintree but he always left the impression he would do better when sent over hurdles.
The five-year-old wasted no time in backing up that view by making all the running to lower the colours of the talented Colcannon at Punchestown on his first attempt and with the speed figure going a long way to suggest his performance was one of graded performer, he quite rightfully gets a chance to mix it in this higher level at the second time of asking.
KOKTAIL BRUT – 1-point win@11-4
3.11 FAIRYHOUSE
The form of the Lartigue Hurdle run at Listowel in September holds the key to the outcome of this contest and LAST KINGDOM is fancied to confirm placings against Puturhandstogether.
There certainly is a valid case to be made Puturhandstogether didn’t get the smoothest of passages at the Kerry venue, but Willie Mullins’ inmate did win with plenty in hand, so it is dangerous territory to suggest the former was massively unlucky.
Moreover, the son of Choeur Du Nord has the added advantage of already running over today’s venue courtesy of a victory over the C&D last April and that valuable knowledge might well prove the key component.
LAST KINGDOM – 1/2-point each-way@15-2 (four places)