Punchestown Festival: Folsom Blue ready to shine
David Metcalf | April 29, 2016
Folsom Blue can score for Mouse
Folsom Blue looks to hold major claims of landing the 3m 6f Madra Irish Dog Foods Handicap Chase on the final day of the Punchestown Festival (15.10).
Trained by the popular Mouse Morris, the gelding has just one win to his name over fences and that came over 3m 4f at this venue.
Folsom Blue has also run some really solid races in defeat, and they an excellent 4 3/4 length third of 28 to Minella Foru at Leopardstown and a cracking six length fourth of 27 to stable companion Rogue Angel in the Irish National at Fairyhouse two starts back.
The nine-year-old may well have finished much nearer in the latter but for a costly mistake six out, and it was to his credit that he stuck to the task well to get so close.
Unlucky in Coral Scottish Grand National
Folsom Blue was also in the process of running a huge race last time out in the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr when brought down six from home.
The son of Old Vic was tanking along at the time and yet to be asked a serious question, and although a long way from home there is little doubt in my mind that he would have been bang there at the finish had he stood on his feet.
Folsom Blue is now able to race in this off 2lb lower, and that gives him major claims from a handicapping perspective.
Another plus is that Folsom Blue is versatile as regards ground, and with Bryan Cooper in the saddle everything looks in place for a big run.
Fletchers Flyer feared most
Fletchers Flyer is another that looks well-treated and looks a big player for trainer Harry Fry.
The gelding developed into a smart performer over hurdles after winning a bumper at this meetings in 2014, and has shaped with plenty of promise to finish in the frame in three runs over fences this season.
They include a solid 8 1/2 length third to subsequent RSA winner and now 154-rated Blaklion over 3m 1f at Cheltenham.
Fletchers Flyer finished nine lengths in front of fourth home Vicente who has since won the Coral Scottish Grand National, and the form reads very well in the context of this contest.
It suggests that the eight-year-old, who was rated as high as 143 over hurdles, is potentially very well-treated off a mark of 138 if proving suited by the further step up in trip.
Related
Check out our horse racing archive, and more specifically our dedicated Punchestown section.
Coral’s top tip: Folsom Blue was going well when brought down in the Scottish Grand National and looks decent value to gain compensation. Fletcher’s Flyer is weighted to go close if suited by the step up in trip.
