Punchestown Festival: Folsom Blue ready to shine

David Metcalf | April 29, 2016

Folsom Blue can score for Mouse

Folsom Blue looks to hold major claims of landing the 3m 6f Madra Irish Dog Foods Handicap Chase on the final day of the Punchestown Festival (15.10).

Trained by the popular Mouse Morris, the gelding has just one win to his name over fences and that came over 3m 4f at this venue.

Folsom Blue has also run some really solid races in defeat, and they an excellent 4 3/4 length third of 28 to Minella Foru at Leopardstown and a cracking six length fourth of 27 to stable companion Rogue Angel in the Irish National at Fairyhouse two starts back.

The nine-year-old may well have finished much nearer in the latter but for a costly mistake six out, and it was to his credit that he stuck to the task well to get so close.

Unlucky in Coral Scottish Grand National

Folsom Blue was also in the process of running a huge race last time out in the Coral Scottish Grand National at Ayr when brought down six from home.

The son of Old Vic was tanking along at the time and yet to be asked a serious question, and although a long way from home there is little doubt in my mind that he would have been bang there at the finish had he stood on his feet.

Folsom Blue is now able to race in this off 2lb lower, and that gives him major claims from a handicapping perspective.