CORK hosts the reincarnated Munster Derby tomorrow, a 12-furlong handicap for four-year-olds and up. It is a e 50,000 race and has drawn a decent field.
Top weight Chapter Seven has a big chance and in-form handler Ger Lyons uses his 3lb claimer Colin Keane to take something off.
Mutual regard has his first run for Johnny Murtagh, while Jessica Harrington saddles Nateeja, formerly trained by John Hills and Shane Foley's mount here.
Fran Berry stays faithful to Sailors Warn while Dermot Weld runs Diplomat with top prospects.
German import Erikonig bolted in over hurdles at Tipperary the other day for Tony Mullins and 'Sox' Madden takes 7lb of his back. He could go in again by beating Clara Bel La.
The Derby is preceded by the Munster oaks, a Group Three mile-and-a-half race for fillies.
These days e 75,000 isn't enough to attract more than seven runners. Ballydoyle run a pair, Venus De Milo and Dazzling, with the older mare conceding 17lb, although Dazzling, with first-time cheekpieces and Seamus Heffernan on board, might have to put up a couple of pounds overweight.
Venus De Milo was Heffernan's mount last month at Leopardstown when beaten some eight lengths by Missunited, who is Ascot-bound next week for Mick Winters.
The Weld runner Edelmira has a one run, one win, record after her Junction maiden win in April.
Would she even be strong enough to beat Dazzling on that performance?
Morga, successful here in a maiden hurdle in April before following up at Punchestown, will have a following but Venus De Milo, beaten half-a-length by Chicquita in the Irish oaks last summer and a four-length second to the Fugue in the Yorkshire oaks, looks different class to these.
Tommy Stack's course and distance winner Scream Blue Murder should prove too good for British challenger Eton rifles in the Listed five-furlong sprint in which Timeless Call might make her presence felt.
In the 47-70 handicap, I fancy Datanarra to beat Tempo Mac and reconsider Baby, while Achnaha gets a final chance to show that her 93 rating isn't just for show by taking the concluding maiden.
THE mares' handicap hurdle is the Downpatrick feature and this e 12,500 contest looks a particularly open little contest.
The nine-runner field might be depleted come race-time as two of the principals, Emmy Lou and res Ipsa Loquitur, were down to run at Clonmel last night.
In their possible absence Stuart Crawford's Sultana Belle would look the most likely scorer over last year's winner Point The Toes, who usually runs in better company than this.
Smiler created a big impression when hacking up by 16 lengths in a bumper here for owner-trainer-rider Mikey o'Connor last october.
The Vinnie roe gelding returns to the track for the opening maiden hurdle and he just might appreciate the faster ground.
Gordon Elliott runs Seismic, who has just been the subject of a sale and now carries the colours of Sean Gallagher.
He is on a hat-trick after wins in Flat handicaps at Clonmel and Tramore, his rate of improvement judged at 14lb. This is his first run over hurdles, but he couldn't be coming here in any better form.
Elliott might expect a follow-up in the handicap hurdle with Abu Nayef, an 82-rated performer at his best on the level when trained by John oxx.
He has gained all his hurdling experience on winter ground but showed a glimmer on better ground
when fourth behind Lost Book at Ballinrobe three weeks ago.
Paul Carberry rides and the partnership might have most to fear from Paul Flynn's Benefitthewest.
Noel Meade's Thomond could be another for Carberry in the beginners' chase against Ever So Much and Ultra Light.
In the two-mile-five-furlong handicap chase, Carberry teams up with Elliott's romanesco, but this one didn't go into too many tracker lists after his effort the other night behind Golden kite at roscommmon.
Hero De Villeneuve, after a couple of easy touches in Britain, was all at sea under Barry Geraghty on his return to hurdles at Down royal behind Valley of Stars. Kalico kim ran pretty well when beaten a short head by Akatara over hurdles at kilbeggan the other night.
She is 10lb higher here than over hurdles but not one to ignore. Take a chance with her.
* See card P59