THE Willie Mullins-trained Sharjah is the class act on show in the featured Grade Three Grimes Hurdle at Tipperary this evening.
The six-time Grade One winner presumably has Galway on the agenda when he appears at this time of year. Having won the Galway Hurdle in 2018 that could be a target again.
He was last seen finishing fourth behind stablemate State Man at Punchestown and despite failing to win last season showed he still retains plenty of ability at the top level.
The Doctor Dino gelding rarely runs a bad race and with an official rating of 155 he is the one they all have to beat in this €70,000 contest.
The fact that he doesn't have to carry any penalties in today's two-miler looks a big plus.
Fils d'Oudairies is the next highest rated runner in the field but he has to give Sharjah 4lb and is rated 10lb inferior.
Paul Townend takes the mount on top-weight Icare Allen and he has to give away half-a-stone.
Sharjah could be a short price, under regular pilot Patrick Mullins, and is hard to oppose.
In the preceding handicap hurdle over the same two-mile trip Call Her Now may be more of a betting proposition.
The Lorna Fowler-trained mare has had her issues but made a winning return at Listowel last month and doesn't look harshly treated on her handicap debut now.
She was a cosy winner of the mares' maiden hurdle last time, beating Our Girl Sal by two-and-a-quarter lengths.
That was a nice step forward from two placed efforts last year and there looks more to come from the lightly-raced daughter of Presenting.
Call Her Now is beautifully-bred, out of a half-sister to the great Denman, and looks like the sort that could be a bit better than a 105-rated performer.
In the bumper, Patrick Mullins is an eye-catching booking for the Cian Collins-trained Crooked Tannie.
The Mount Nelson filly ran a big race when third on her second outing at Roscommon last month and looks capable of getting her head in front now.
Master Otis would appear to be the danger in the race, of those that have racecourse experience.
The Mastercraftsman gelding hasn't been disgraced in a couple of strong looking bumpers at Punchestown on recent outings.
GARY CARSON'S TIPPERARY SELECTIONS FOR THURSDAY
(next best in brackets)
5.10 Doctor Nightingale (Bedelia)
5.40 Call Her Now (NAP) (Frontline Worker)
6.15 Sharjah (Fils d'Oudairies)
6.50 The Big Doyen (In For The Night)
7.25 Ossifer Hops (Moonovercloon)
8.00 Emily In Paris (Tuff Days)
8.30 Crooked Tannie (Master Otis)
