Intense Raffles
Intense Raffles looked good when he won a novices' chase at Fairyhouse in January over two miles and six furlongs on his first run for Tom Gibney, and he looked even better when he stepped up in trip to almost three and a quarter miles back at Fairyhouse last Saturday. He was quickly into his rhythm in front for Daryl Jacob, and his jumping was very good. And when Brampton Belle closed up on him a little on the run to the fourth last fence, he just extended away again, popped that obstacle, pinged the next and all of a sudden he was 12 lengths clear again. He sauntered up the home straight, popped the last and won by a distance
This was a seriously impressive performance by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede's horse against talented rivals. He remains progressive, and the form of the race that he won on his Irish debut is working out, with the runner-up Where It All Began winning the Punchestown Grand National Trial next time. The handicapper raised him by 13lb for this, which is not insignificant, but it leaves him on a mark of 140, and he retains the potential to go beyond that mark now. Also, that mark means that, if it is the plan, he should easily get into the Irish Grand National on a nice racing weight and, two for two at Fairyhouse now, that would be a logical target for him. And his trainer has previous in the Irish National, he sent out Lion Na Bearnai to spring a surprise in the race in 2012.
Fairyhouse, 24th February 2024
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