THE in-form Red Trail bids to continue her winning run when switching back to jumps in the opening maiden hurdle at Clonmel this afternoon.
Andrew McNamara's charge was a cosy winner at Down Royal on Monday when returning from a little break.
She could be called the winner a long way out the other day as she travelled particularly well through the mud that day.
That came off a short holiday as she had won at Gowran in late July but given the style of her victory turning out again quickly shouldn't be a big problem.
The Galileo Gold filly is still relatively unexposed over timber and this looks like a nice opportunity now in a race restricted to horses rated 109 or less over hurdles.
She has a mark of 99 but that looks on the low side judged on a couple of nice runs earlier in the year, particularly when she finished a close fifth at Navan in March.
The fact that she gets a nice pull at the weights from some of the older geldings in this looks to leave her nicely in under the conditions.
A danger could be the Tony Mullins-trained Walmix who takes a drop in grade after a decent enough run to finish sixth in a Galway event last time.
He was a bumper winner at Wexford back in June and looks to have enough ability to be a big player in this company now.
Another in-form horse bidding to strike again is Cave Court in the two-mile-two handicap chase later on the card.
Noel Kelly's charge made a long trip down to Listowel worthwhile when scoring at the festival meeting last week and this looks like a nice opportunity to bag a fourth win on the bounce.
He was a cosy winner at the Kerry venue six days ago and looks hard to oppose under a 7lb penalty.
Kelly gives Oran McGill the leg up again now on the six-year-old and the talented amateur is good value for his 7lb claim, which offsets the extra weight.
The preceding rated novice chase looks a tight little contest and Iridescent may prove best.
He is two from three since going over fences and ran well in defeat in soft ground when chasing home Glenquin Castle at Galway last time.
His experience and ability to handle testing going could prove the difference now. The hat-trick seeking Bella Bliss looks an obvious danger but the ground would be a concern with her.
GARY CARSON'S CLONMEL SELECTIONS
(next best in brackets)
1.55 Red Trail (nap) (Walmix)
2.30 Bal De Rio (Rotten Row)
3.05 The Grey Dove (Costanuci)
3.40 Duncarrig (Rajin Cajun)
4.15 Iridescent (Bella Bliss)
4.50 Cave Court (dbl) (Itsalonglongroad)
5.23 Royal Hollow (Ebony Jade)
