Rich Revival is a horse
that we’ve had an eye on for a while, but Elizabeth Doyle’s
10-year-old was pulled up on his next three starts after winning the
Leinster National, over 3 miles, at Naas last March. The Welsh
National was mooted as a possible target for the Turtle Island
gelding at the start of the season, so connections clearly have no
concerns about his stamina and, although he’d prefer softer ground,
he still looks decent value at 33/1, in a place, in the ante post
lists. He showed his first form for over a year when third, beaten 5¼
lengths, behind Allez Vic in a handicap hurdle at Navan last month
and, although he his chase mark remains 17lb higher than his hurdles
mark, he’s only 2lb higher in the weights than when last winning
over fences.
Lion Na Bearnai won the
Irish Grand National, off 5lb lower mark, two years ago and took
advantage of some respite from the handicapper when winning a small
rated chase, over 2 miles 5½ furlongs, at Fairyhouse in February.
The New Frontier gelding was beaten 50 lengths when fourth of seven
behind On His Own in the Grade 2 Bobby Jo Chase back at Fairyhouse
three weeks later and a slipping saddle finally put paid to his
chances in the Grand National earlier this month but, from a
handicapping point-of-view, still looks feasibly weighted for a
prominent showing. He’s unlikely to be improving as he enters the
twilight of his career, but it would be dangerous to rule him out,
especially at 33/1 in the ante post lists.
Once again this week,
the bookmakers aren’t giving much away in terms of value, with the
outsider of 30 only available at a paltry 50/1 and, even then, only
in one place. Nevertheless, another one who looks fair value,
notwithstanding the fact that he, too, would appreciate a drop of
rain, is Folsom Blues. Conor O’Dwyer’s 7-year-old won on his one
and only attempt beyond 3 miles, over 3 miles 4 furlongs at
Punchestown in February, and has run creditably in defeat over
shorter distances since. He remains 8lb higher in the weights than at
Punchestown, but is unexposed over marathon distances and can
hopefully relieve our friends the enemy of a bundle at the 25/1
generally available.
The Irish Grand
National is the sort of race where you could make ten selections and
still not have one in the first half a dozen but, for better for
worse, our three against the field this week are:
Folsom Blues (25/1
generally)
Rich Revival (33/1 with
Paddy Power)
Lion De Bearnai (33/1
with Paddy Power).
Good luck!
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