The Prince of Burma appreciation thread

Naas, Naas, Naas.

Phoenix Park

Hahaha well in droidy.

Barry Geraghty is excited about riding Grandouet over fences in the Crew Clothing Co. Beginners' Chase at Sandown.

Nicky Henderson's classy six-year-old was not far off the very best over timber, but endured a luckless season last term.

He did not run until the International Hurdle at Cheltenham in December, when he was second to Zarkandar, and did not reappear until the Champion Hurdle itself, when he was still going well before falling four out.

His campaign ended when he looked a doubtful stayer in the Aintree Hurdle, and he takes on three rivals on his chasing debut, including classy types Hinterland and Turn Over Sivola.

Speaking on his www.attheraces.com blog, Geraghty said: "We all know how good he is from his official rating of 166 over hurdles and there's been a fair bit of thought about where he would make his debut over fences.

"He had options at Exeter and Warwick earlier in the week, but Sandown is a good track to start a chaser because they learn early on that fences are there to be jumped.

"And as for jumping fences, this lad has schooled over plenty of them and I've been more than pleased with him.

"Not that it should come as a surprise because when he was a four-year-old I was very keen to send him chasing because he was good - just as well we didn't, though, because we'd have missed some good days over hurdles.

"As regards ground he's very flexible and he's still got time on his side at six with a good future ahead of him."

Rarely do these type of bets but like the look of Sean O'Brien @ 16/1 to be last tryscorer in Ireland game. Starts on the bench but sure to get a run out with 10 or 15 left. Samoans will start with huge ferocity as usual but are likely to tire in the last quarter, which will suit O'Briens barnstorming style. The Tullow Tank will take no mercy and can see poor fuckers bouncing off him as he makes his way towards the try line.

Small bet