Prince De Beauchene

Prince De Beauchene ran a lovely race on his first run back from injury at Limerick last Thursday when winning over hurdles over a trip a long way short of his best.

He travelled well early on, took up the running at the entrance to the back straight on the second circuit, and still travelled well when Clonbanan Lad re-joined him on the inside. He took it up again at the end of the back straight and easily kept the progressive Venture Capital at bay, the pair of them clear.

The runner-up is a nicely progressive horse, he may be better on better ground, but he was well-supported in the market beforehand, and time may show that it was a fair performance by Prince De Beauchene to beat him as easily as he did, the pair of them clear.

The French Glory gelding was Willie Mullins’ main hope for the Grand National last year, he was actually promoted to ante post favourite for the race after he won the Boobyjo Chase at Fairyhouse comfortably, but injury intervened and he had to miss the race. This was his first run since.

The handicapper raised him 12lb for winning the Bobbyjo Chase, he is rated 155 now, but that is still not too high for the Grand National. He is an ideal National type, as a 10-year-old he is the ideal age for the race this year, and you can be sure that Willie Mullins is training him to peak on Grand National day. He is a leading player for the race again this year.

27th December 2012

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