GORDON Elliott sends a numerically strong team of runners to Downpatrick this afternoon and Landau should get him off to a good start in the opening maiden hurdle.
After a couple of solid efforts in defeat on the level, the four-year-old filled second spot over the plastics at Tramore and looks to have Burnt Sienna and Captain Carleton to beat in this very modest heat. She's rated 75 on the flat, compared to Burnt Sienna's mark of 66.
Landau ran fourth at Galway in the Flat handicap won by Pyromaniac and subsequently found Gusty Rocky a length too good for her over hurdles at Tramore.
Burnt Sienna also ran at Tramore, beaten two lengths by Hurricane Volta in a Flat maiden. With her rider claiming 5lb, she'll getting a massive 17lb from her fellow four-year-old. Enough to make it interesting.
Drunken Counsel is Elliott's next runner, with the five-year-old looking to take advantage of a career-low mark in the Paddy Galbraith Memorial Handicap Hurdle, though with Mosman Park advertising his well-being with a second over course and distance recently, it could be a tough task.
Milano Express, Mossy Island and High Rebel are all much of a muchness with all of them holding decent chances.
Jim Dreaper looks to have found a nice opportunity for Lord Of Isenay in the second of the three maiden hurdles.
Disappointing, he has run just twice since November but against this sort of opposition may come good at last. Tight Times and The Cub might give him most to do along with Ballinrobe fourth Effernock.
Tico faces a very tough task for Elliott in the two-mile-five-and-a-half-furong handicap hurdle, especially with Coldstonesober, second on his last two starts, and Hero De Villeneuve in opposition.
Point The Toes has been plying her trade with some success in Britain and won at Carlise on the Flat. Shershewill is in fair form and Tulsa Jack was a Galway flop after an easy win at Limerick. Coldstonesober might beat Tulsa Jack
Elliott's final runner on the card comes in the third maiden hurdle, over two-mile-seven. He runs Toms Article here, an odds-on winner of a bumper here in July but a real let-down over the course the following month when pulled up on his hurdling debut.
The excuse was "unable to handle the soft ground conditions."
Tramore second Buster Dan Dan is a well-regarded point-to-pointer and both Corr Point and Better Back Bob have plenty of hurdling experience. Toms Article can make amends.
Lucky Pigeon was an emphatic winner at Kilbeggan on Friday and bids for a repeat performance under a 4lb penalty in the two-mile-seven-furlong handicap hurdle.
Presenting Kate and Cool Annie are a pair that could give the topweight something to do.