Duckweed pictured on her way to victory at Kilbeggan early this month© Photo Healy Racing
Four last-time-out winners are among a field of seven for the Bloomfield House Hotel Mares Hurdle at Kilbeggan. Aunt Alice and Duckweed stand out as both scored at the last meeting here, just over a fortnight ago, and in the case of the former it was over the same trip.
Duckweed drops back five furlongs after her impressive success in the middle of the month.
The Willie Mullins-trained and Ruby Walsh-ridden Daisy's Gift has not been seen since last summer, but she has to be viewed as a strong contender. Star Counsel meanwhile, beat useful geldings in The Gatechecker and Childrens List when she triumphed at Killarney. Urtheoneiwant and Well Tuned can hardly be ruled out of the equation either, given their respective ratings of 116 and 123.
However, the manner of Duckweed's latest victory, plus the fact her handler Jessica Harrington and jockey Robbie Power are in a good vein of form, suggests she could take a bit of beating.
Harrington and Power might be on the mark elsewhere, too, as Macnicholson has won at Kilbeggan in the past and on start number two over the larger obstacles, the useful handicap hurdler can prevail in the Mullingar.ie Beginners Chase.
The Commonstown trainer has also got to be seriously kept in mind when it comes to the Streamstown Handicap Chase, in which she runs Annie Oakley (Mark Bolger) and Painted Lady (Robbie Power).
Both are very capable at their best, so expect a decent showing from them in a competitive feature event.
