IN what is a relatively quiet weekend of racing, following last week’s meeting at Down Royal and next week’s Troytown Chase, Darragh O’Keeffe is looking forward to strong chances in two of the best races.

He heads to Wincanton for the first time today to partner the Henry de Bromhead-trained Aspire Tower in a closely-matched field of three in the Grade 2 BetMGM Elite Hurdle.

A dual Grade 2 winner and twice Grade 1-placed over hurdles, the Robcour-owned gelding bridged a four-year gap when winning his seasonal return at Punchestown last month, but faces a bigger test today against last year’s winner Rubaud and the progressive Brentford Hope.

Speaking to The Irish Field, Darragh O’Keeffe commented: “He’s a horse that was chasing last year, and was probably going to win the beginners chase at Leopardstown only for fall at the last but, he’s got high-class hurdle form in the past.

“I thought it was a good performance the last day, he went a good gallop and you’d be hopeful he could come on from the run. I haven’t ridden in Wincanton before but it looks like the track over there might suit him and I’m hoping for a good performance.”

At the time of writing on Friday, the ground was described as good, with no rain forecast, and recent meetings have been hit by a spate of non-runners due to the drier ground.

On whether that will work for or against Aspire Tower, O’Keeffe said: “The ground the last day at Punchestown was nice and he seemed to enjoy it, so as long as there’s similar conditions in Wincanton tomorrow. Everyone’s looking for a bit of rain, so hopefully that the ground is nice and safe.”

Working well

Tomorrow’s feature at Naas is the Grade 3 Barberstown Castle Chase, where dual Grade 1-winning novice hurdler and impressive beginners chase winner Marine Nationale currently heads the betting on his first start since February.

One of his closest rivals in the market is another dual Grade 1 winner over hurdles, Quilixios, having his first start since April. Recalling last season for the Henry de Bromhead-trained and Cheveley Park Stud-owned bay, O’Keeffe said: “He won his beginners’ chase first time out last year, and then went up on trip.

“He was good at Naas when he won a winners’ race just before he went to Cheltenham. As you said, he kind of lost his way a little bit then but he seems to be working well now.

“It’s nice to be getting a ride on a good horse like him, he’s got very good form in the locker. It’s a good race on Sunday- Willie’s horse Hercule Du Seuil had good runs last year and then there’s Marine National as well. So, it’s a tidy looking race, but it’s nice to be riding a horse like Quilixios and I’m looking forward to getting a spin on him.”