Justified favouritism on debut to win a bumper at Tipperary this month, merely shaken up late on in doing so; penalised here but very much the one to beat for top trainer/jockey team in this sphere.
By Zebedee out of a Kings Best mare; well beaten seventh of 12 as a 40-1 chance in a bumper at Punchestown (2m½f, heavy) on debut in February and needs to improve plenty on that effort.
Farhh gelding has the thick end of 20L to find with Mr Jackman on their respective debut efforts at Tipperary recently and turnaround appears unlikely.
Gelding by Elusive Pimpernel. Cost €23,000 as a three-year-old. Fair showing on debut at Limerick on debut last month (beaten 21L) and may improve for that run/fitting of cheekpieces.
80-1 chance on debut at Tipperary this month and finished eighth of 12; some 17½L in arrears of winner Mr Jackman. Faces a stiff task to turn that around.
Cost €1,700 as a three-year-old; Prince Flori gelding is closely-related/half-brother to 2 point-to-point winners. Dam unraced. May be one for the longer term.
Well Chosen filly. Dam, unreliable point winner (stayed 3m+), half-sister to useful staying chaser Embracing Change. Yard not noted for bumper winners.
By New Approach and related some useful winners on the Flat, cost only 1,500 gns as a three-year-old however. Hooded on debut and could have some place claims in what isn't a deep race.
Forecasts
Mr Jackman (4/9), Elusive Specimen (4/1), Riqaaby (17/2), James Hoban (16/1), Fairy Orchard (25/1), Bee Manner Ley (28/1), Black Spice (40/1), Penny Jar (66/1), Up The Club (66/1)
This looks a gilt-edged chance for Tipperary winner MR JACKMAN to make it 2-2 for Gordon Elliott and Jamie Codd. She had the likes of Black Spice and Penny Jar well held behind that day and the penalty is unlikely to ground her ambitions. Elusive Specimen offered something to work with on debut at Limerick four weeks ago while the hooded Riqaaby could harbour place claims in this line-up on debut.