Kylecrue aiming for National glory

John Ryan is excited by the prospect of Kylecrue tackling the lengthy trip of the Toals Bookmakers Ulster National at Downpatrick on Sunday.

The seven-year-old has only his third start over fences in the three-and-a-half-mile test and comes into the race off the back of a terrific run in defeat at Leopardstown earlier in the month, when he went down fighting by a length to Pass The Hat in an ultra-competitive heat over two miles and five furlongs.

His only previous chase outing had been at the northern track when he stayed on strongly to score over an inadequate two and a quarter miles.

Ryan said:"It's only his third run over fences but he's in a different league than over hurdles. He's not over-big but has a great spring and is a great jumper. He won his point-to-point by 17 lengths on our own track here, that we hold on the farm. He won his beginners in Downpatrick and was second in a big handicap at Leopardstown, so his runs over fences have been good.

"It was way too short for him when he last ran at Downpatrick but he still got there. I'm really looking forward to running him over a trip. You can never be certain of anything in a National but he's got a good each-way chance and is in top form.

"It's a pity Ryan Treacy is suspended as he seems to get on particularly well with him, but Ger Fox is riding plenty of winners at the moment and I'm sure he'll do as good a job. We're hoping to get into the Irish National with him so hopefully he runs a big race."

Larne handler Stuart Crawford is enjoying a fantastic season and is doubly represented in the €25,000 contest. Mister Philson, a winner at Ayr, is joined in the field by the consistent Hidden Horizons.

Promising conditional Craig Nichol, who partnered Mister Philson to victory in Scotland, makes the journey to Downpatrick and Crawford explained: "He won on him last time and got on well with him. It will also do no harm taking the few pounds off him. He's a horse that it helps if you know him. He's a bit of a character and has his own way of doing things.

"He has handled Downpatrick well enough before and has possibly been unlucky there in a few hunter chases. Hopefully the ground isn't too quick and the step up in trip looks a positive for him. He's in off a nice weight and seems to be coming into a bit of form. Hopefully he's up to running a big race."

Paul Carberry is an eyecatching booking for Hidden Horizons, and Crawford added: "When you get a chance to have him it's good to make use of it. She's been very, very solid in nearly every run she's had for us. She jumps well and the last couple of days she has been doing her best work at the finish, so hopefully the step up should be in her favour."

Quiscover Fontaine, better known as a cross-country performer these days, heads the weights. Enda Bolger reports his charge in fine fettle after finishing mid-division in the cross-country at Cheltenham recently.

He said: "He's bouncing. He came home from Cheltenham in great nick and that's one of the main reasons we decided to go again. He has 11st 12lb so the logical thing to do was to claim off him. Brian (Linehan) knows him well having rode him in a cross-country race.

"I think the track will bring out the best in him. He's a quirky fella and he's been around. The ups and downs should suit him. He loves the cross-country so he'll have no problem handling the track and the trip is right up his alley. He's not the force he was two or three years ago and it's just a matter of slotting him into races that suit rather than the big pots."

Gordon Elliott saddles an interesting contender in Jimmy The Hat, who left his previous chase form well behind when a facile winner at Ayr a couple of weeks ago.

"It's a step up in trip and class but I think he'll stay," said Elliott. "It was a big improvement from him the last day. I think he'll be all right on the ground and he looks to have an each-way chance."