Corbetts Cross (2.55) is no laughing matter in the William Hill Bowl on day one at Aintree.
Emmet Mullins’ charge looked a smart chaser in the making following a successful novice hurdle career. He went some way to confirming as much when third to Grangeclare West on debut at Naas last November. The seven-year-old then opened his account by routing Three Card Brag at Fairyhouse almost a month later.
He got far closer to Grangeclare West when second to his old rival in a Leopardstown Grade One. The gelding didn’t enjoy the best warm-up for the National Hunt Chase when falling at Fairyhouse. But he recovered to crush Embassy Gardens in last month’s big race at Cheltenham. There is plenty more to come from this bold galloper who can upstage established superstars. The shrewd handler should double up with ROMEO MAGICO (4.05) in the Foxhunters’ Chase. The winning pointer showed class and guts to win on his Rules debut at Limerick last December.
He then didn’t mind stepping up to three miles when giving Ferns Lock most problems at Thurles in January. The gelding hacked up from Neo King back over almost 2m 4f at Down Royal last month and will relish tackling these famous spruce fences against a strong field.
GREY DAWNING (1.45) can boost Dan Skelton’s title bid in the Manifesto Novices’ Chase. The useful hurdler was a cracking third to Stay Away Fay switched to fences at Exeter last November. He put that run to good use when showing Gaillard Du Mesnil no mercy down in trip at Haydock.
The grey would have reeled in Ginny’s Destiny at Cheltenham in December but for a blunder two out, albeit then routed Apple Away back over three miles in the Hampton at Warwick. He exacted revenge on Ginny’s Destiny in style in the Turners last month at Cheltenham and ought to put his regular rival firmly in his place again.
KARGESE (2.20) should give Willie Mullins yet more glory in the Boodles Juvenile Hurdle. Kenny Alexander’s filly was second to Kala Conti on her Irish debut in a Leopardstown Grade Two on Boxing Day, then stayed upwardly mobile when seeing off Storm Heart in a Grade One at back there in February.
She found only stable-mate Majborough too good in the Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham and looks open to plenty more progress. The Closutton maestro stands to add the Aintree Hurdle to his tally with IMPAIRE ET PASSE (3.30). The gelding looked a world beater when caning Gaelic Warrior in the Ballymore at Cheltenham last year.
He KO’d High Definition in the Champion Novice at Punchestown the following month but expectations were hit when no match for Teahupoo on return at Fairyhouse in December. He didn’t please critics yet again when chasing home State Man down in trip at Leopardstown two months ago and flopped again over two miles there when only third in the Irish Champion.
The six-year-old has been given ample time to recover so should redeem himself back over 2m 4f. Mullins ought to make it three with BABY KATE (5.15) in the Nickel Coin Standard Open bumper. The mare was a red- hot 8-13 favourite ahead of her racecourse debut at Ballinrobe last August.
She delivered with a convincing length defeat of solid yardstick Switch From Diesel , prompting Mullins to target Listed company at Cheltenham. The bay took her form up a notch with a defeat of Jeune Belle in November and has been given time to develop.
DANCING ON MY OWN (4.40) can repeat last year’s Red Rum Handicap Chase win. Henry de Bromhead’s star showed a liking for this race when second to The Last Day in 2022. He shrugged off some lesser efforts by landing this prize at the second attempt but didn’t get home over 2m 4f when second to Easy Game at Listowel last June.
He bounced back when defeating Triple Trade on his return at Cheltenham come October before two poor winter efforts at Fairyhouse. But the bay hits top gear in the spring so can retain his crown under Rachael Blackmore.
Garry's Day One Tips
1.45 - Grey Dawning, 2.20 - Kargese, 2.55 - Corbetts Cross (nap), 3.30 - Impaire Et Passe, 4.05 - Romeo Magico, 4.40 - Dancing On My Own, 5.15 - Baby Kate.
Garry's Double
Corbetts Cross (nap) and Impaire Et Passe.
