Irish preview: McColgan may have the magic for successful hurdling debut

That latter effort, although beaten more than seven lengths, was a fair effort by a mare who has always looked likely to blossom when tackling obstacles.

This mare’s bumper success came at Leopardstown in March, when beating subsequent winner Neon Diamond.

She produced one disappointing effort in bumpers, when finishing in rear behind Familiar Dreams in a ‘Grade 3’ at the Punchestown festival.

Magic McColgan carries the Honeysuckle colours of Kenny Alexander and, taking on gelding for the first time here, should prove too strong for Relieved Of Duties and Mic Drop.

Willie Mullins runs four in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Beginners Chase, with stable-jockey Paul Townend opting to ride Spindleberry, a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle winner, who flopped, when favourite, in a mares event at the Punchestown festival.

But, if Townend’s mount can jump well and reproduce the effort that saw her chase home classy stable-companion Jade De Grugy in a ‘Grade 1’ at Fairyhouse over Easter weekend, she should take plenty of beating.

Mark Walsh will be on board the JP McManus-owned Kel Histoire, winner of his only start, on the flat, in France for his Irish debut in the opening Mallow Maiden Hurdle.

This Masked Marvel gelding cost €200,000 and must be respected. But preference is for another French import, Henry de Bromhead’s Kilgame, who cost €300,000 and boasts hurdle experience, having chased home King Conti at Auteuil back in March.

In Dundalk, Danny Murphy might continue his fine form with hat-trick-seeking two-year-old Eclairage in the four-runner opener.

This Kuroshio has won two nurseries over this course and distance, off marks of 59 and 63, the latter five-lengths victory earing him a whopping 19lb rise.

Today’s race will test the handicapper’s judgement.

But this filly bounces from the stalls, sets a decent tempo and stays going. So she should be tough to beat again.

And the booking of Colin Keane sways me in favour of Johnny Murtagh’s dual course and distance winner Daamberdiplomat for the Free €50 Bet With www.swiftysports Handicap.