Punchestown 15 10 24 Aspire Tower and Darragh O Keeffe win for trainer Henry de Bromhead Healy Racing © Photo Healy Racing
Doncaster, Wincanton and Aintree stage quality cards this weekend in the UK and we have picked out three Irish contenders worth keeping an eye on.
Trainer Jack Davison has been particularly vocal on the chances of his well-travelled Thunderbear in the Listed Wentworth Stakes on the Town Moor, while Henry de Bromhead and Charles Byrnes saddle notable contenders elsewhere in the country.
Currently 20/1 with bet365
Jack Davison’s Thunderbear enjoys a trip across to the UK having previously taken a Group 3 prize on British turf at Newbury and the trainer is delighted to have booked red-hot jockey Rossa Ryan.
The four-year-old has shown excellent form of late finishing second in the Listed RFS Steels Stakes last time at Naas behind My Mate Alfie.
Prior to that he was runner-up at the Curragh when contesting a five-furlong handicap in which he was second by just half a length.
The son of Kodi Bear has been on the go all season having run 12 times so far and connections feel this is the time of year he comes to hand and he’s in “super form”. Ease in the ground will help and the trip will suit.
Currently 5-1 with bet365
Aspire Tower has been lightly raced since finishing fourth in the 2021 Champion Hurdle for trainer Henry de Bromhead.
The eight-year-old had eight months off the track and relished the return hurdling when winning a 4-runner race readily at Punchestown last month.
He would be expected to improve for that outing but will need to step up in this company.
The good ground will suit and it works in his favour that he gets six pounds from the hot favourite Ribaud.
Charles Byrnes sends Reverend Hubert over to Aintree on Saturday for a handicap hurdle. The son of Zoffany was seen staying on well in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket in October when finishing seventh.
He has been in good form over summer having recorded two wins, including one over today’s trip at Punchestown.
Sean Bowen takes the ride and although he carries a fair weight, he is race fit and is expected to go well for the yard at 5-1.
