'He's got a right chance' - Shark hoping Star can shine bright in Craddockstown

Saturday: Punchestown

Winners of the Grade 2 Oak Lodge Landscapes Craddockstown Novice Chase (1.03) include subsequent Gold Cup winner Sizing John, and 2011 Champion Chase winner Sizing Europe for that matter, and Shark Hanlon is hoping Hallowed Star can continue his progress over fences following a wide-margin win at Galway.

The seven-year-old won that beginners' chase by 19 lengths and the only thing Hanlon is worried about is the trip and being caught out by speedier types, as happened at Ballybrit on his chasing debut in September.

Hanlon said: "He's got a right chance. I entered him because I thought it might be a race that would cut up and that's exactly what has happened. The day he got beaten by Peter Fahey's nice mare [Sit Down Lucy] she just did him for speed. He ideally wants further than this so we'll try to be positive on him. He's a lovely horse and he's in great form."

Gordon Elliott has won the race for the last two years with Felix Desjy and Riviere D'Etel and he is double-handed with Grand Paradis and Mars Harper, while the 141-rated Midnight Run is still chasing an elusive first win over fences.

The Listed Frontline Security Grabel Mares Hurdle (2.13) features Queens Brook, who will bid to get back on track for the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham after a rather lethargic effort on her comeback at Limerick when she was sent off 4-6 but finished only third to Rebel Ivy.

Elliott expects an improved display here, saying: "Queens Brook is a lovely mare and should come on for her comeback at Limerick. She ran a big race in the Mares' Hurdle last year with an interrupted prep and I could see her having a big say in it again if we get a clean run."

Among Queens Brook's eight rivals is 2021 Coral Cup winner Heaven Help Us who was four and a half lengths in front of her at Limerick last month.

Queens Brook is a standout 14-1 with bet365 for the Mares Hurdle, while Heaven Help Us is a general 33-1 chance.

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