Nap of the Day: Farren Glory can land Craddockstown prize

Some high-quality racing makes up Sunday's programme across Britain and Ireland, with four jumps meetings set to take place. The undoubted highlight comes at Punchestown via the John Durkan Memorial Chase as old rivals Galopin Des Champs and Fastorslow renew acquaintances, but that Grade 1 event looks far too difficult to call as a stellar field of nine go to post.

Elsewhere, there are National Hunt meetings at Uttoxeter, Cork and Exeter on a busy afternoon. My Sunday Nap of the Day is an improving chaser for Gordon Elliott and will be seeking to extend an excellent recent record for the Cullentra handler in the Grade 2 Craddockstown Novice Chase at Punchestown.

13:50 Punchestown Odds

Elliott is without a contender in the John Durkan at Punchestown but the Cullentra handler will be hoping to land the preceding Grade 2 Craddockstown Novice Chase in which he saddles both FARREN GLORY and Touch Me Not.

The latter was only just touched off in a beginners' chase at this track in October by Fascile Mode and they both line up again now, with improvement likely from both.

Jack Kennedy however has opted to partner Farren Glory over the Gigginstown-owned Touch Me Now and that could be significant.

This Fame And Glory gelding was a smart sort over hurdles last season. He won the Royal Bond at Fairyhouse last December and looked set to double his Grade 1 novice hurdle tally at Aintree on Boxing Day when he came down at the final flight when travelling very strongly in the Formby Novices' Hurdle, formerly the Tolworth.

Today's Horse Races

He only appeared once more over timber, running down the field as superstar-in-the-making Ballyburn scored at the Dublin Racing Festival in February. With Farren Glory likely attempting to rebuild some confidence after hitting the deck at Christmas, he was given a swerve from the remaining spring festivals.

He made his fencing bow at Wexford (2m, soft) in October and was second-best behind Inthepocket – a really impressive winner for the Henry De Bromhead team.

Farren Glory was clear the remainder and he showed the benefit of that outing when readily landing his own beginners' chase at Naas (2m, good to yielding) earlier this month under Kennedy for the first time over fences.

They face seven rivals now, including the aforementioned pair and promising duo Jordans and Nurburgring for Joseph O'Brien, but Farren Glory looks a bright chasing prospect and can hand Elliott a fourth win in this race in the last five years.

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