SWANS bar (est. 1963) is located in rural Meath only a small walk from Skryne GAA club, which is the longest-serving senior football club in Meath.
The bar has a real attachment to horse racing with the pub’s syndicate called “Swans Highstool Syndicate”, and with many of them being trained by local trainer Gavin Cromwell.
There was plenty of excitement in the air last Friday following Constitution Hill’s easy win on his flat debut in Southwell.
The MC for the night was Gavin Lynch, who had his hands full with keeping Barry Geraghty, Keith Donoghue and Ryan McCue all on their toes, while also making sure the experts on Zoom all came through.
David Casey, Johnny Dineen and Gordon Elliott gave their opinion through Zoom call.
Day One
Barry Geraghty opened up with his opinion on the feeling that he believes that Old Park Star is the justified favourite in the Supreme. But he feels Sober Glory, as an each-way bet, has great value at 10/1 describing him a “lightly-raced horse”.
Going onto the Arkle, Keith Donoghue believes that Lulamba, who is top of the market, wants further and believes that Irish Panther each way at 10/1 deserves a shout.
He will be coming to the Festival fresh after skipping the Dublin Racing Festival, following after his good run in the Grade 1 novice chase at Christmas, where he lost out to Romeo Coolio but won both of his two starts before that.
Barry was full of praise for Kopek Des Bordes. “He’s an absolute weapon, who blitzed the field with ease his last time out. He’s the real deal and deserves the respect and praise he’s been given.”
When the topic of the Champion Hurdle came up, you could really feel everyone sitting up and listening with proper intent. Of course the mid week news that Constitution Hill would miss the race changed some of the comments.
Gavin Lynch had put the the question to Geraghty, “will we see him now just go and focus on a possible flat career?”
Barry made a fair point saying: “I don’t think so, you’re very limited as regards suitable ground, Royal Ascot will be fast ground and that wouldn’t suit.”
All mentioned that Brighterdaysahead must warrant respect in this race, but Golden Ace did beat her in the race 12 months ago.
Ryan McCue fancies The New Lion for this race with Keith adding: “I don’t think Brighterdaysahead or Golden Ace wins this race.”
Day Two
We started off with the Turners; Ryan McCue kicked it off with a concern over Mighty Park and his inexperience with only running in a maiden hurdle in Fairyhouse, following his first point-to-point start where he finished second.
“You would be asking a lot from a horse who has only ever had two starts to go out and win a Grade 1 in a big festival like this and, with No Drama This End, I would much rather see him run in the Albert Bartlett, I worry about this trip for him.
“He tends to hit flat spots in his races, and I don’t think you would get away with it in the Turners, where you possibly would in the Albert Bartlett.
“I don’t fancy Skylight Hustle either, he’s running the wrong race he should be in the Supreme, I know Gordon Elliot wants to step him up, but he looks all speed to me I don’t think he’s in need of this trip.
“For me, I would be going for Act Of Innocence, he is a nice price at 11/1, I think the extra few furlongs will really suit Act Of Innocence and he definitely runs here for Nicky Henderson.”
Keith and Barry both agree that Ballyfad each-way is a good bet, Barry mentioning: “He was unlucky in his last start, losing out by a nose to Talk The Talk and I think he will run a big race.”
Queen Mother Chase
In the Queen Mother Chase, Ryan mentions L’Eau Du Sud. He adds: “It’s hard to say he will go out and win the race, but I do definitely think he will be placed. Dan Skelton says that he is best fresh and he has had a 97-day break from his last outing.
“If you go back to the start of the season, he beat Jonbon by 15 lengths at Cheltenham. I can’t see how he’s unplaced in this race.
“If Majborough runs the same race that he did in Leopardstown at the start of the month, he will be hard beat. But if he messes up one of his jumps, the race could easily unravel for him.”
Barry feels the outcome of the race all hinges on the ground. “If it was soft ground, I’d be with Majborough and if it was on better ground, I would be on Marine Nationale.”
At around this stage of the night, Gavin Cromwell joined the panel and gave his insights on the Cross Country Chase.
With Gavin having three in the Cross Country, including last year’s winner, he is hopeful that one of them can get across the line first again this year.
“Yes, Stumptown is going well at home, he is going to be carrying top weight again this year. It won’t be any easier for the horse and he will be giving a lot of weight to the rest of the field. But he’s very well suited to the race and goes fresh.
“Final Orders will want good ground where Vanillier will want softer ground. Final Orders actually had a wind surgery since his last day out and it has helped him massively. So, if we get good ground, he’ll run well.
“And with Vanillier, hopefully he goes left this year at the Canal Turn fence.”
Day Three
The Ryanair Chase analysis was kept short and sweet. All the lads agreed, it’s all about where Fact To File and Gaelic Warrior end up, whether it’s in this race or the Gold Cup. Ryan is fancying Firefox each-way at 14/1.
And with the Stayers Hurdle, the panel believe it’s Teahupoo’s to lose. Similar with the Mares Hurdle.
As David Casey said on Zoom about Lossiemouth, “There’s a bit of a cloud over her head whether she will run in the Champion Hurdle or the Mares’ Hurdle.”
Day Four
With Narciso Has out of the Triumph, Keith mentions a horse that he will be riding called North Shore.
“He is 66/1 and ended up 11 lengths behind Narciso Has in his last two runs. I think this track and the extra furlong will help this horse. So, I wouldn’t put anyone off backing this horse each-way.”
In the Albert Bartlett, Keith also mentions a possible supplementation into the race. “I hope Gavin would supplement The Passing Wife here, he has had six runs over hurdles. Thedeviluno beat him in Gowran when myself and Jack Kennedy got going too quickly and probably set it up for Thedeviluno, and he’s 6/1 second favourite.”
For the Gold Cup, Gavin kept his opinions to himself and simply just said: “It’s Fact To File’s to win, he will stay even if the ground is soft.”
Keith was quick off the mark to state his claim on the possible chance of riding Inothewayurthinkin. “I wouldn’t mind riding him in the Gold Cup if Mark Walsh wants to jump off and ride Fact To File.”
Keith also added: “If Fact To File put in the same performance as he did the last time out, it will be hard to go against him.
“With Galopin Des Champs, the possibility of maybe putting cheek pieces on him may work in his favour.”
Zoom callers
David Casey, Johnny Dineen and Gordon Elliot gave us their opinion through Zoom calls with some important updates on different horses.
David Casey highlighted Final Demand’s performance last time out saying: “He just didn’t show up for whatever reason, but we fancy him to go over to the Brown Advisory and show what he’s really made of.”
Kaid d’Authie will have improved focus for the Brown Advisory with the use of blinkers, and he mentions Dinoblue as a “strong” bet in the Mares Chase on the Friday.
Johnny Dineen had a strong opinion on Final Demand. “I could see people forgiving him and seeing him go off at about 5/2. But I wouldn’t back him in a million years, he’s lost his aura and it looks like a wide-open race.”
Gordon Elliott
Gordon Elliott says Brighterdaysahead is ready to go. “She is in very good form at home,” adding that he thinks she’s the yard’s best chance of having a winner on the opening day.
On Ballyfad, he mentions the ground has a lot to play in the decision-making of where the horse will run. “If the ground was on the better side, Ballyfad would go for the Turners and, if not, he’ll head for the Supreme.”
He also mentions Western Fold as one of his naps for the Festival at an each-way price.
“He has loads of experience for a novice and ran a very good race the last day out, finishing behind Kaid d’Authie. The better the ground, the better the chance for this horse.”
€100 Charity Bet from the Panel
Ryan McCue: Supremely West (Pertemps)
Keith Donoghue: Stumptown. Mark Walsh to be leading Jockey
Gavin Cromwell: Stumptown
Gavin Lynch: Backmeorsackme (NH Chase)
David Casey: Kopek Des Bordes
Johnny Dineen: Majborough
Gordon Elliott: Favori De Champdou and Brighterdaysahead double
(Barry Geraghty: Gave Constitution Hill)