Easy Game going for three wins on the bounce but stablemate Janidil a worthy opponent
The ultra-consistent Easy Game is bidding for a third win in a row in the Grade 2 McInerney Properties Chase. A winner of six of his last seven starts, the nine-year-old is something of an unsung hero in the Willie Mullins yard due to the plethora of star chasers at Closutton.
He has been put away, with presumably this race in mind, since he won a Grade 2 at Gowran Park in October from the recently retired Kemboy, who upheld the form in the interim by finishing runner-up twice in Grade 1s and landing the Bobbyjo Chase on his final start in February. Easy Game seems to have a lot in his favour, but it is questionable whether he is at his best on soft ground.
Stablemate Janidil was impressive when landing the Red Mills Chase on his return and would relish testing conditions, but he was well held in the Ryanair, where his jumping let him down.
Things did not go right in the Mares' Chase for the Henry de Bromhead-trained Magic Daze at Cheltenham as she got left at the start, but her form before that, when defeating Dinoblue and Minx Tiara at Naas, has a strong look to it and this trip could unlock further improvement.
Royal Rendezvous, the third Mullins runner in the line-up, would be better served by a sounder surface, while it looks to be a big ask for Kapard stepping up from handicap company.
What they say
Paul Townend, rider of Easy Game
He's a brilliant horse for the yard. He is coming off a bit of a layoff but his work has been good and he comes here fresh. I'm looking forward to getting on him. He is so consistent bar his run in the Galway Plate last year.
Read these next:
'He should be in the mix' - jumps star Monkfish makes his return from long injury layoff
Triumph Hurdle flop Blood Destiny bidding to get season back on track in this Grade 2
Get set for Aintree! Subscribe to Members' Club Ultimate Monthly now with 50% off for three months
- 'I think he should be favourite, not 7-1' - David Jennings gets stuck into the action at Cheltenham on Friday
- 'He should be hard to beat if his jumping has been sharpened up' - Harry Wilson with his ITV tips for Cheltenham and Bangor
- Racing Postcast: Cheltenham and Doncaster preview show with Graeme Rodway and Jonny Pearson
- A cracking start to the weekend as emerging ace Chianti Classico gets chance to show he belongs at the top level
- Famous names and famous colours plus the Littmoden family bid for a memorable success - punting pointers for Friday
- 'I think he should be favourite, not 7-1' - David Jennings gets stuck into the action at Cheltenham on Friday
- 'He should be hard to beat if his jumping has been sharpened up' - Harry Wilson with his ITV tips for Cheltenham and Bangor
- Racing Postcast: Cheltenham and Doncaster preview show with Graeme Rodway and Jonny Pearson
- A cracking start to the weekend as emerging ace Chianti Classico gets chance to show he belongs at the top level
- Famous names and famous colours plus the Littmoden family bid for a memorable success - punting pointers for Friday