The horse named after a song written to convince people to use a particular mode of transport is apt for this years Plate.
Like the beginning of the song there is an air of hesitation in terms of what the selection has achieved in his short career but it’s the positive direction he has taken recently which suggests punters could well be singing come ten minutes to seven next Wednesday.
Coming from the Willie Mullins camp gives him an advantage straight away but his recent win in Punchestown Festival in the QuinnBet Novice Handicap Chase over 2 and a half miles suggests this 6yo gelding is on a upward curve taking the rise to a mark of 149 in his stride.
With Townend likely to take the ride again also suggests this will be Mullins best chance in a race he last won in 2021. The way he won in Punchestown suggests the extra yardage is well within its scope running on well after the last with an aggregate of 10 lengths ahead of the next four finishers.
With graded hurdle form tied in with a preference for typical summer racing ground the likely 5/1 on offer will surely shorten before the off.
Others to consider for the race are Rockys Diamond for the shrewd Declan Queally. He has been plying his trade the last couple of years against some of the best staying hurdlers around without looking out of place.
It is early days in his chasing career but if the same depth of class is there for fences he is one to consider at bigger odds. Gordon Elliots record in this race is phenomenal and one couldn’t rule out a winner from Cullentra with his best chances likely to be Nowwhatdoyouthink & King of Kingsfield.
NAP Funiculi Funicula likely SP of 5/1 & NB Rockys Diamond (EW ) likely SP of 20/1.
