Trainer Willie Mullins should continue his present purple patch by saddling Irish Invader to land the Cashel Chase over two and a quarter miles at Thurles this Thursday (1.45 pm start).
Irish Invader has won his two most recent starts and indeed the son of Bob Back was most impressive when beating Carrigeen King by a comprehensive 13 lengths with Ruby Walsh in a Grade 3 chase over this same course and distance last time – on January 13th. Irish Invader was actually conceding all of a stone to Carrigeen King on that occasion and the eight-year-old should continue on his merry way here at the expense of Tumbling Dice.
Oscar Dan Dan is the one to row in behind in the Grade 2 Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle. Oscar Dan Dan, trained by Tom Mullins for Mrs Paul Duffin, has been mixing it in the best of company this season and on his most recent start, the seven-year-old stayed on from mid division to finish a creditable third to Roberto Goldback in a Grade 2 two and a half mile novice hurdle at Leopardstown last month. Oscar Dan Dan seems a quite consistent sort that’s recommended to regain the winning thread here from Caim Hill.
It could well take a smart one to lower the colours of Pay The Bounty in the closing Mid Tipp INH Flat Race.
