BACK ON THE ROAD Back On The Road’s recent form figures are not exactly encouraging, but they fail to tell anything like the full story. A shock winner of a beginners chase at Leopardstown’s 2008 Christmas meeting, when he took advantage of the last fence departure of Deutschland and Askthemaster, the Broken Hearted gelding was just beginning to get into contention in the Jewson Chase at the Cheltenham Festival when he was hampered and unseated Alan Crowe. An uncharacteristic blunder produced a similar outcome at Fairyhouse next time, and his final start of last season is best ignored. He should now be ready to roll after a couple of outings this term and there is definitely a decent handicap in him off his current mark of 116. 2m4f or thereabouts is probably his best distance, though he should stay three miles.
CAPEL LAD Willie Mullins has enjoyed a tremendous run of success with recruits from other yards this season, but Capel Lad is one who may not suffer from a move in the opposite direction. Now with the very capable Vincent Ward, he was a useful handicap hurdler for the champion trainer before injury intervened and on the evidence of his four runs over fences for his new yard appears to retain most of his ability. His initial handicap mark of 109 can definitely be exploited.
FLEMENSFORD Beaten just half a length by no less a rival than Joncol on his point-to-point debut in 2007, Flemensford belatedly notched up the first success of his career when left clear by the final fence fall of Seabass at Navan last month. Many will view that victory as a fortuitous one, but given that that was his handicap bow I am quite confident that Flemensford would come out on top in a rematch and despite being raised a harsh looking 10lb (Seabass bizarrely only went up 9lb despite gaining compensation at Punchestown a few days later) he looks capable of landing another handicap or two at the very least.
SHAKURU Home-bred by his owner Lady Clague, Shakuru qualifed for a handicap mark when fourth to Augustusthestrong at Listowel, easily the best of his three efforts to date. The son of Alhaarth travelled well throughout on that occasion, but appeared ill at ease on the sharp track and will be of interest once stepped up in trip on a more galloping course. His rating of 73 can certainly be exploited.
TELENOR Telenor may have finished a remote last of three in a Grade 2 event at Naas last time, but he gave the strong impression that he is much better than the bare form suggests, trading at 1/3 in running after taking the lead going well leaving the back straight for the final time. Although Jim Dreaper’s charge had won over 3m in lesser company at Navan previously he probably failed to see it out this time following a protracted battle with favourite Alpha Ridge, and this sound jumper charge can gain compensation over a shorter trip.
