Ivan Grozny and Jet Setting among Tipperary tips for mixed Sunday card
Published:
Jamie Clark, Sports Editor | October 2, 2016
Ivan Grozny odds impossible to oppose
Tipperary hosts an intriguing mixed card of jumps and flat racing this Sunday, and Willie Mullins gelding Ivan Grozny looks to hold leading claims in the valuable 2m Grade 2 Istabraq Hurdle (15:20).
The six-year-old has a course and distance win to his credit over the summer, when making all to bolt up and beat stablemate Sempre Medici by 11 lengths under Ruby Walsh, who once again partners Ivan Grozny.
With going set to be similarly soft to when the selection recorded an eight-length success in the Pinsent Masons Handicap Hurdle on Grand National day back in April, Ivan Grozny is also carrying 5lb less on board from that Aintree outing.
Main Istabraq Hurdle rival Hargam was vastly outclassed as the last of 10 finishers from 12 Champion Hurdle runners at the Cheltenham Festival, so everything points to Ivan Grozny giving handler Mullins his first-ever winner in this race.
Jet Setting bets should sweep Concorde Stakes
Irish 1000 Guineas winner Jet Setting takes a big step down to enter the Group 3 Concorde Stakes (14:10), which is the pick of the flat races at Tipperary, and this ease in grade should see the filly get back to winning ways.
Adrian Keatley’s three-year-old followed up her narrow Classic victory over Minding, who has since gone on to score The Oaks at Epsom, Pretty Polly Stakes at The Curragh and Nassau Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, with successive sixth place finishes.
Those disappointing displays in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot and Matron Stakes at Leopardstown came on firmer ground than Jet Setting likes. Underfoot conditions are much better suited at Tipperary, however.
The Happy Prince out too soon
Having landed her previous appearance over 7f in the Irish 1000 Guineas Trial on the kind of heavier going she gets here, Jet Setting should take the Concorde Stakes in her stride ahead of The Happy Prince.
Trained by Aidan O’Brien, the four-year-old colt reappears too quickly after his 3/4 of a length Renaissance Stakes success ahead of the re-opposing Flight Risk, which came just seven days ago.
While The Happy Prince made virtually all in that Group 3 affair at The Curragh, he has never won over the Concorde Stakes trip, nor faced a filly of Jet Setting’s calibre before.
Is Alpha Des Obeaux up for the chase?
The powerful connections at Gigginstown House Stud have opted to send World Hurdle runner-up Alpha Des Obeaux chasing this season, and his debut over the bigger obstacles comes in the 2m 4f Grade 3 novices contest (17:00).
Although no match for the all-conquering Thistlecrack in the 2016 renewal of the day three feature at the Cheltenham Festival this past March, Alpha Des Obeaux was only beaten seven lengths.
Prior to that, the Mouse Morris trained six-year-old impressively took the Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park, asserting himself before the final flight en route to an 11-length success over At Fishers Cross.
Ending his 2015/16 campaign with a 10-length third of nine behind One Track Mind and Jennies Jewel in the Champion Stayers Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival, there is no way of knowing how Alpha Des Obeaux will take to chase fences.
Westerner Lady looking to lay down gauntlet
Reputation alone is not enough to justify the short price on offer, so Mullins mare Westerner Lady may represent an attractive alternative as she has recorded back-to-back victories over the larger obstacles.
Making all in a mares novice chase over the trip at Listowel’s Harvest Festival last time out, Westerner Lady impressed with Walsh doing the steering to score by seven lengths and she gets into this contest a massive 9lb lighter.
Also landing a hat-trick over hurdles – all with Ruby in the saddle – prior to being sent chasing, Westerner Lady is looking to land a six-timer, and appears well weighted at 10st 12lb to do so.
Tipperary tips for October 2nd
13:40 Galilean
14:10 Jet Setting (NB)
14:45 Canary Row (E/W)
15:20 Ivan Grozny (NAP)
15:55 Penhill
16:25 Prickly (E/W)
17:00 Westerner Lady
17:35 Mountain Rock
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