I was delighted with Bella Rua yesterday at Navan and she is a filly that will be winning races before too long. She was dropped out the back from her wide draw by Leigh Roche and 3 furlongs out she had a lot more horses in front than behind. However, when she was switched wide and met the rising ground in the straight she took off and stayed on strongly for 4th. Next time up in trip she will be hard to beat.
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| Gordon Elliott has had a season to remember. |
Today sees the start of the Punchestown Festival which has been billed as a showdown between Elliott and Mullins for the top trainer title and I think Elliott has a real chance of success in the big handicap hurdle at 4.55 with Veinard. This hold up performer is undeniably difficult to win with but he ran a cracker in a similar race to this at Leopardstown two runs back off 126 and he runs off the same rating here.
A mistake at the 4th last didn’t help his chances but he travelled into the race strongly for Denis O’Regan before the 2nd last. Unfortunately the leaders had flown, but Veinard kept on well to finish 7th of the 28 runners and it was a very encouraging run. Elliott decided to give him a spin over fences in a beginners chase at Fairyhouse next time out and he ran a lovely race to finish 2nd behind Cadmium, beaten just 5L and 16L ahead of the 3rd.
Unlike a lot of his rivals today Veinard is a relatively fresh horse as he swerved Cheltenham and Aintree. He has had a couple of months off so he should be fresh and well and I think this race was made his target after that excellent effort at Leopardstown. Denis O’Regan will need to be at his best to get this fella home in front, but with extra places available for each way bets I think Veinard could surprise with a big run at odds of 33/1.
STEVOS’ SELECTION: 4.55 PUNCHESTOWN-VEINARD E/W @ 33/1
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