Supasundae tackles obstacles at Gowran

Monksland's presence in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase at Gowran is worthy of an article of its own but the supporting card does feature Supasundae, second best of the Irish-trained runners in the 2015 Champion Bumper at Cheltenham.

Supasundae, who makes his jumping debut in the Race That Stops A County Thyestes Jan 21st 2016 Maiden Hurdle, won his initial two bumper starts, the second of which was at Listed level.

The son of Galileo then finished sixth in the Cheltenham showpiece for current connections of trainer Henry de Bromhead and Sizing Europe's owners Ann and Alan Potts. That Cheltenham effort was bettered by only one Irish-trained horse, Vigil, who a head in front in fifth.

Supasundae did finish the campaign with a disappointing ninth in Punchestown's Champion Bumper, but is now likely to do well over jumps.

In opposition is Willie Mullins' Cheltenham disappointment Stone Hard, who was 19th behind Supasundae but crucially has previous jumping experience, having won his only point-to-point in 2014.

Stone Hard's owner Michael O'Leary (Gigginstown House Stud) is represented by unbeaten point-to-point and bumper winner Gunnery Sergeant in the Join Gowran Park Golf Club For 499 Novice Hurdle.

The Noel Meade-trained son of Presenting won nicely on his bumper debut last month but now faces formidable opposition, with Willie Mullins introducing French import American Tom, in the Rich Ricci silks.

American Tom finished third on his only French start, at top track Auteuil last November, and while now absent for 370 days that is hardly a concern given he is still only a four-year-old with his novice status likely to have been preserved for this season.

Mullins also introduces French import Footpad, second at Auteuil in May, in the opening www.gowranpark.ie 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle and the Simon Munir-owned gelding is another likely winner for the champion trainer.

Arkle Chase seventh Smashing receives weight from his principal opponents in the Morrison BMW Chase and can take the beating for the Supasundae team, while any late market moves for the JP McManus-owned White Arm in the concluding Irish Racing Yearbook Handicap Chase should be more than noted.

By Tom Weekes