The Game Changer© Photo Healy Racing
The Game Changer looks to complete a hat-trick for Gordon Elliott and Gigginstown House Stud in an intriguing main event at Wexford this evening.
The Arcadio gelding has been a superb servant to connections in the last 12 months over hurdles, finishing third in the Galway Hurdle and Istabraq Hurdle at Tipperary last year before similarly positive placed efforts at Aintree and Punchestown this spring.
His transition to fences since the commencement of the new season has been fairly seamless, with positive tactics working a treat on his spectacular chasing debut at Punchestown before he showed tenacity to go with his talent to beat Rock The World at Roscommon.
Another step forward is required if he is to strike gold once more in the Stena Line Horizon Chase, with the likes of Arnaud and Darwins Fox bringing handicap experience to the party. Upazo is another who cannot be left out of calculations for the formidable combination of Willie Mullins and Ruby Walsh.
The [email protected] Mares Maiden Hurdle gets proceedings under way, with Twenty Four Years a clear contender.
The winning point-to-point mare has made her first two starts under Rules over fences, finishing second at Kilbeggan before coming to grief when still in contention at Down Royal.
With former champion jockey Paul Townend taking over in the saddle from amateur Maxine O'Sullivan, it would be no surprise to see Twenty Four Years make a successful start to her hurdling career.
Brothers Tom and Tony Mullins look to have the Ferrycarraig Maiden Hurdle between them, saddling Hes Our Robin and Fearachain respectively.
Tony Mullins also has a major player in the Nick O'Donnell Memorial Handicap Hurdle, with Elis Gury showing far more when third on his recent handicap bow at Gowran than in three previous maiden starts.
Paul Nolan 's The Mooch rarely runs a bad race and bids to defy top-weight in the Carrickbyrne Handicap Chase.
Liz Doyle 's course and distance winner All The Way Home and Limerick-winning veteran Close Review might put up most resistance.
The Stena Line Europe Beginners Chase and the Campile Flat Race both look winnable contests.
Easily the most interesting horse in the latter event is Tt's Star from Willie Mullins' yard.
The seven-year-old was fifth on his Tramore debut behind the smart Bentelimar, but that was 446 days ago.
