Smart hurdler Carlito Brigante market leader to win Kilbeggan’s Tyrrellspass Novice Chase

It’s summer jumps action at Kilbeggan on Monday evening – the only action in Ireland – and racing gets underway at the Co Westmeath venue at 6pm with four races over hurdles to begin and a trio of chases bringing the evening’s fare to a close.

Sixteen runners are scheduled to go to post for the opening maiden hurdle over two-miles-and-three-furlongs and Gordon Elliott’s Some Fiddle (5/1) ranks high on the shortlist to open his account over timber having finished third at Sligo in a stronger looking event in May. Davy Condon takes the ride tonight on the six-year-old who was a bumper winner at Ballinrobe last summer.

A real danger however looks to be Dessie Hughes’ Chase The Favorite (2/1). The mare did all that could be expected when returning to action at this venue earlier in the month as she finished second behind the Willie Mullins-trained Sin Palo. She could well be in line to get off the mark.

Andrew McNamara retains the ride on Howya Buddy (4/1) who produced his best effort to date when third at Tipperary this month and could once more be in the frame today.

Mister Benedictine (11/4) is looking to complete a hat-trick in the handicap hurdle at 6.30pm after wins here and at Ballinrobe but he must now race with a total of 21lb more on his back than when recording the first of those wins in May.

Battling Boru (5/1) was also on the board last time out at Sligo in May and has a 6lb penalty on his back but he looks like one of the more likely runners to get involved at the finish here together with Sorted (5/1). Conor O’Dwyer’s charge was a winner on his last two starts over hurdles and returns to the smaller obstacles today having disappointed over fences on his latest run.

The Mullins bandwagon rolls into town in the form of Passage Vendome (6/4)at 7pm. The six-year-old shed the maiden tag over hurdles at Punchestown in May and looks likely to appreciate the extra mile today although he has yet to tackle anything over two-miles.

One that is proven over the three-mile trip is Whispering Hills (2/1) for trainer Dessie Hughes and he will not be inconvenienced by any give in the ground the rain fall. Davy Russell rides Rising Time (4/1) for Paul Nolan and he has been in consistent form since returning to action in April, although once more, tonight’s trip is an unknown factor.

Carlito Brigante (evens) looks to be the biggest attraction of the evening. A smart hurdler, Gordon Elliott’s charge made a pleasing debut over fences at Killarney in May scoring by some seven lengths with subsequent winner Catcherinscratcher back in second. There should be more to come from Davy Russell’s mount but tonight looks far from straightforward with some inform rivals to contend with.

Russell will know all about Prince Ludovic (11/2) having ridden him to back to back successes at here and at Clonmel and Barry Geraghty takes over in the plate this evening.  Dazzling Susie (3/1) was an impressive wide margin winner at Clonmel last week and will seek to remain unbeaten in this sphere.

The aforementioned Sin Palo (4/1)is sure to come in for support tonight should Chase The Favorite run well and Mullins’ eight-year-old will have Paul Townend for company on his chasing debut here.

Noel Meade’s Mickelson (2/1) is another looking to transfer winner form over hurdles to the larger obstacles today and the six-year-old provides Paul Carberry with a good chance of getting among the winners.

Canaly (3/1) was second here in a beginners chase at the start of the month and takes the step up in trip to three-miles-one-furlong looking to get off the mark over fences.