Irish Pointers winner Shuffle The Deck looks another good one

Despite suffering a reversal on her Irish debut in the mares novice hurdle at Naas on Monday, French import Karoline Banbou remains a promising type. Trained by Willie Mullins and featured in the French Revolution section of One Jump Ahead, the No Risk At All filly raced a shade too keenly early on and that arguably cost her victory being collared late on by stablemate Baby Kate. Despite jumping cleanly, the four year old sent quite a long time in the air at her obstacles and with more practice, her jumping will sharpen up. Supported for the mares' novice hurdle at Cheltenham in March beforehand, she is no forlorn hope and will be tough to beat next time.

Earlier on the card, the same owner's (J.P.McManus) Shuffle The Deck made a favourable impression when winning the two miles three maiden hurdle - stablemate Impaire Et Passe won the same event in 2022. Third on his Rules debut at Punchestown last month, Ted Walsh's charge built on that effort racing just off a brisk early gallop before being produced in the homestraight. Leading before the final flight, Mark Walsh's mount stretched away on the run-in to record a three and a quarter lengths win. A half-brother to a three miles winner, the Walk In The Park gelding will have no trouble staying that trip in time. However, his likely to be kept at the immediate trip for the time being. Featured in Declan Phelan's Irish Pointers, he is a smashing long-term prospect. He strikes as Albert Bartlett Novices' Hurdle material but his connections may prefer to look after him this term with his chasing career in mind - he could be a Spillane's Tower type one day.

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