Inis Meain (left)© Photo Healy Racing
Barry Connell has endured what could be described as a character building season with his string of high profile jumps horses but the leading owner sends out one of his better known Flat performers, Inis Meain into action in the Naas Court & Il Fico Restaurant Handicap Hurdle at Punchestown on Thursday.
Inis Meain has already won twice at Listed level on the Flat for Connell and trainer Denis Hogan and comes into today's race having run with credit when third in a Listed event at Limerick last month.
The son of Bernstein's career over hurdles had until recently, been mostly a disappointment but connections' recent decision to step him up in trip resulted in him winning over 2m7f at Navan in February. He races today from a 5lbs higher rating at 129 but, when put into the context of his Flat rating of 110, might still be able to prove competitive in today's race.
The country's leading owners, J.P. McManus and Michael O'Leary's Gigginstown House Stud, are in the middle of an end-of-season tussle to become Champion Owner and each are represented by two horses in the race.
McManus has both Moonlight Boy under his retained jockey Tony McCoy, and Off The Charts while Gigginstown is represented by Philip Fenton's Band Of Blood and five year old Express Du Berlais Added to the mix are Willie Mullins' first reserve Theleze whose owners Ann and Alan Potts had a memorable day with Sizing Europe on Tuesday and stablemate Urano
An hour and ten minutes later, the Drinkwater Construction & Orchid Transport Mares Novice Hurdle has a slightly unusual mix to it, with Gold Cup winning jockey Davy Russell riding Morga for dual Champion Hurdler Monksfield's trainer Dessie McDonogh.
Morga carries the colours of top Flat trainer Jim Bolger's wife Jackie Bolger and made a winning debut, on her first start over hurdles, for her new trainer Dessie McDonogh at Cork last month.
Morga was rated 93 on the Flat and while likely to improve for that hurdle debut, faces a stiff task against more experienced rivals. Urticaire represents Willie Mullins and while unsuccessful on four starts since winning last December, was Grade 1 placed at Fairyhouse on her latest start and will be partnered for the first time in public by Ruby Walsh.
Urticaire's stablemate Vicky De L´Oasis is top rated at 128 but gives away a penalty along with joint top weight Bridgequarter Girl who bids to continue the excellent recent spell of jockey Barry Geraghty and trainer John Kiely.
By Thomas Weekes
