HE LOOKS A GOOD ‘UN

Martin gelding likely to keep up great form

UNANSWERED might continue on his winning ways in the Re/max Team Earley Handicap Hurdle in Roscommon.

The Tony Martintrained five-year-old has hit a rich vein of form in recent months, scoring twice on the flat before breaking his duck over hurdles at Punchestown and is expected to book his ticket to Galway by following-up here.

The Intello gelding got off the mark when he came from well off the pace to land a Limerick handicap in April, off a lowly mark of 46.

Stepping-up in trip he clicked again, off a 9lb higher mark, at Gowran Park less than three weeks later, beating Harrys Legacy readily.

Unanswered transferred that improved form to hurdling at Punchestown last time when, off an apparently lenient mark of 88, he proved an impressive, wide-margin winner.

Bryan Cooper’s mount appeared to be at full stretch on a few occasions through the race, in a twomiler, but came through strongly to lead at the final flight before forging clear to beat Muntahez by eight and a half lengths.

The selection received a 13lb hike for that win, which will make life tougher today.

But Unanswered looks progressive and, while I expect him to improve significantly when he tackles distances beyond two miles, he should be tough to beat today, with Temptationinmilan and Presenting Lad the main threats.

On a card which comprises six hurdles and a bumper, the featured Supervalu Ladies Day Rated Novice Hurdle poses a tricky puzzle, with six previous hurdle winners in the field.

Gordon Elliott’s Salvador Ziggy, off the mark at Punchestown in late May, has obvious claims, although conceding weight to his eight rivals while Denis Hogan’s 118rated Desert Friend won well in Listowel last time, brushing aside Moulane West.

But I’ll take a chance with Pat Doyle’s unexposed mare Granny Lowrie, who made a successful hurdling debut in Kilbeggan, beating Dancing After Dark and odds-on favourite Shesadream in a mares event.

The Fame And Glory seven-year-old has the potential to build on that success and is a hopeful choice.

Among the winners in Tipperary last Thursday, Charles Byrnes might be on the mark again with Vinnie Is Busy, despite topweight, in the Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle.

This lightly-raced gelding ran a solid race when third behind Bangor bumper winner Rocco Bay and Senecia (won his maiden well in Wexford on Friday) at Limerick five weeks ago.

A reproduction of that effort might suffice, with Irish Grand National hero Paddy O’hanlon in the saddle.