Elliott excited to see 'smart stayer' Minella Crooner over fences in Grade 2

Sunday: 1.30 Punchestown
Liam & Valerie Brennan Florida Pearl Novice Chase (Grade 2) | 2m6½f | 5yo+ | ITV4/RTE1/RTV

With the Noel Meade-trained Thedevilscoachman declared a non-runner due to the going, stablemate Idas Boy has assumed clear favouritism for this Grade 2 event and shouldn't be inconvenienced by a sounder surface.

He will appreciate stepping up in distance after finishing second to the more experienced El Barra in a Grade 3 novice chase over 2m4f at Cork two weeks ago.

Amirite, a debut point-to-point winner, made a successful start to his chasing career last month at Fairyhouse in a 2m5f beginners' chase. This slightly longer trip should also be in his favour.

Amirite: unexposed performer for the Henry de Bromhead teamCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Arguably, the most interesting candidate in the seven-runner line-up is chasing newcomer Minella Crooner, who advertised his potential when an encouraging second to Minella Cocooner in the Grade 1 Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle at last season's Dublin Racing Festival.

He bombed out when returning from an injury at last season's Punchestown festival but has won around here before, after scoring in a bumper and 3m maiden hurdle at this venue last season.

Darrens Hope is an experienced novice chaser with 14 runs in this sphere and is capable when bringing her 'A' game. However, she isn't always the most consistent and would likely prefer softer ground.

Panda Boy must bounce back from a disappointing effort at Cork over an insufficient 2m4f.

Elliott: we always thought Crooner would make a nice chaser

Gordon Elliott has won this race a record four times, but his sole representative in this year's running Minella Crooner arrives with a different background, as he will be making his debut over fences.

A Toi Phil (2016), Jury Duty (2017), Battleoverdoyen (2019) and Pencilfulloflead (2020) had all won over fences before landing this race for the Cullentra team, whereas this will be only Minella Crooner's second start since missing last season's Albert Bartlett due to a setback.

He had been ante-post favourite for that Cheltenham target at the time of his injury.

Elliott said: "It was a shame he missed the Albert Bartlett as I thought he had a massive chance. You can safely put a line through his run at Punchestown; it was at the end of the season and that wasn't the real Minella Crooner.

"He won his sole point and we always thought he would make a nice chaser. He's a smart stayer and we're looking forward to getting him started over fences."

What they say

Henry de Bromhead, trainer of Amirite
He was good at Fairyhouse and this race has been the plan since. He's a lovely horse.

Noel Meade, trainer of Idas Boy
Idas Boy would like better ground. I thought he ran a decent race last time when doing the donkey work himself.

Idas Boy (left): finished second to the exciting Gerri Colombe (right) at Thurles last seasonCredit: Caroline Norris (racingpost.com/photos)

Martin Brassil, trainer of Panda Boy
Hopefully, stepping back up in trip will be a help to him – he shapes like a stayer. He's won around Punchestown twice before, so hopefully that will be in his favour too.

Robert Murphy, trainer of Darrens Hope
It's a very competitive race but I think she has a good chance. She's won more [prize-money] than any of the horses she's running against and has plenty of experience over fences. Ideally, she might want a bit further, but if the ground is soft I think she'll run well.

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