Flemenstar bids to resume winning ways on home soil

Trainer Tony Curran is keeping his fingers crossed Flemenstar can get his season back on track in Tuesday's Normans Grove Chase at Fairyhouse.

Flemenstar Picture: Pat Healy Photography

The 11-year-old claimed the fourth Grade One prize of his career at Leopardstown over Christmas, before giving Felix Yonger a run for his money in the Tied Cottage at Punchestown in January.

He journeyed to Britain for last month's Ascot Chase, but not for the first time performed badly after travelling across the Irish Sea and connections are hoping he can return to form back on home soil.

Curran said: "He seems in good form. Nothing came to light after Ascot, so we're just putting it down to the travel. We're hoping he can get back on track. We're happy with him at home, anyway.

"It's still winter ground and there's no good in it, so that should be fine. If all went well, we'll look to go to Punchestown, as long as the ground is all right."

Flemenstar faces five rivals in the two-mile-one-furlong Grade Two contest.

Willie Mullins saddles last year's winner Twinlight, while Colm Murphy sends Sizing Granite back to the track just 13 days after pulling up in the Champion Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

"His race was over at the first fence the last day," said Murphy.

"He came back home fresh and well and seems in good form, so we're hoping for a nice run."

Henry de Bromhead's Days Hotel and Ludo Et Emergo from Andrew Lee's yard complete the home team, while Top Gamble is a major contender for Britain and Kerry Lee.

The Herefordshire handler claimed her first Grade One with Kylemore Lough in Sunday's Ryanair Gold Cup and Top Gamble has excellent claims after an impressive victory over last year's Champion Chase hero Dodging Bullets in the Game Spirit at Newbury.

Lee said: "We're looking forward to the race and this has been his target for some weeks. The ground was perfect on Sunday, so I'm just hoping it doesn't dry out too much.

"He was brilliant at Newbury last time and I think he's in just as good a form now. I really couldn't be happier with him.

"He's been trained for the day and Richard Johnson is travelling over especially for the ride, so he obviously has the same confidence I do.

"It looks a hot race and we have to respect anything, but we can only get our horse here in as a good form as we can and we'll see what happens."


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