At The Races

A beaten odds-on favourite at Wexford last time, TREBIZOND may atone for that defeat now. His conqueror then, Barnacullia, has been far from disgraced in the meantime, taking fifth place in the Grade B Liam Healy Memorial Lartigue Handicap Hurdle at Listowel. Trebizond wasn't matching the winner at Bettyville when not fluent at the last, but overall his jumping experience and 111 rating probably makes the son of Golden Horn the one to aim at. However, Boom Boom Boom, just three parts of a length behind Trebizond at Wexford, is a danger again, whilst Boola Boola (4th then) looks held on that evidence. Trainer of the selection, Henry de Bromhead, also has Some Dove in the mix. She has plenty going for her on paper and it'll be interesting to monitor market movements. Pat Kelly, Mark McNiff and Gordon Elliott are all strong numbers-wise, whilst Andys Flame, Heronord and Stumptown are others to keep in mind.

• Top Tip: TREBIZOND (16)
• Watch out for: BOOM BOOM BOOM (4)

GENERAL MORIVIERE has been a beaten market-leader more than once now, but one would have thought that it will be only a matter of time before he's rewarded for his consistency. Shane Broderick's charge is back in action relatively quickly after another near miss, when a close up third at Navan nine days ago. General Moriviere has never returned to the track so soon in his career to date. It could be a good move though, as with an apparently improving five-year-old such as this, it must be difficult to resist the temptation to go again when an opportunity presents itself, and the horse is clearly on good terms with himself. Tom McGreevy, The Abbey, The Declaimer, Go Gill Go and Amlad are pretty readily identified as dangers. We haven't seen Romella since June. She won at Clonmel on that summer afternoon and can be a factor if fully tuned up for this assignment. Downthecellar would obviously be a big player if making the line-up from his position as third reserve.

• Top Tip: GENERAL MORIVIERE (7)
• Watch out for: TOM MCGREEVY (2)

DE LADY IN RED showed plenty of stamina up the hill when winning a Galway bumper after a summer break on her first start for Barry Connell. The runner-up didn't do much for the form at Listowel but the daughter of Jet Away should improve for the run and is likely to appreciate stepping up to 2m4f. She had a couple of promising runs over hurdles at Navan in March, notably when runner-up to the classy Bigbadandbeautiful. The latter's stable companion Humble Glory is rated 116 and, although lacking a recent run, looks a big danger. A bumper winner at Punchestown, she was placed three times over hurdles last term and looked set for victory when coming down at the final flight at Clonmel in April. A reproduction of her earlier second to Lady Breffni, who subsequently won a handicap off 135, would make her very hard to beat. Robyndeglory has been runner-up in five maiden hurdles and is tried in a first-time visor but may have to settle for minor honours again, while Flat winner Fraternity has shown ability over hurdles but is another who looks to have place prospects at best.

• Top Tip: DE LADY IN RED (1)
• Watch out for: HUMBLE GLORY (2)

OSKAR HIGH is on a roll and can complete a hat-trick of wins on the Western circuit. He beat Hello Pilgrim over a furlong further at Sligo last month and then accounted for Dedanann over 2m6f at Ballinrobe. He's gone up 16lb in total for those two comfortable victories but is clearly in peak form and goes well for Gavin Brouder. Dedanann, who was a good fourth in a higher grade on his second run of the week at Listowel on Saturday, is 5lb better off with the selection on this occasion. That gives him a chance of turning around the placings but he is a very infrequent winner. Loudest Whisper won over 3m at Bellewstown in July and has run creditably over shorter trips since. She'll enjoy the test of stamina and headgear is refitted. Sweet Street made the breakthrough in a mares' maiden at Wexford and could be on a nice mark for her handicap bow, while Captain Mac had some good runs in maidens last year and is another handicap first-timer to consider.

• Top Tip: OSKAR HIGH (17)
• Watch out for: DEDANANN (5)

A cracking race where no horse can be ruled out. BOLD ENOUGH may prove good enough to give weight away. He was a wide-margin winner of his first two novice chases at Wexford and at this track, before finishing a close third in a Grade 3 over a further trip at Galway in July (with Druid's Altar eight and a half lengths behind in fourth). Druid's Altar has improved since that race to win decisively in Killarney and Wexford so has to rate a threat. Embittered got off the mark over fences in Killarney. He was highly tried in this sphere last year and there should be more to come from him. Hurricane Georgie gets all the allowances and has a featherweight of 10 stone on her back so shouldn't be discounted. Exit Poll for a very in-form Jessica Harrington and Presenting Bonnie aren't out of it.

• Top Tip: BOLD ENOUGH (1)
• Watch out for: DRUID'S ALTAR (4)

REINE FEE can make her experience count. She has been placed seven times over fences and this looks a good opportunity for her to make the breakthrough. There is plenty of rain forecast which would be to her advantage. Valentina Lady has won a bumper and a mares' maiden hurdle and is sure to be well schooled by Paul Nolan for her new career. Queen Jesse Jay hasn't been out since winning a two and a half mile mares' maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse in January. The form of that race has worked out very well. She is now sent over fences and is well worth keeping an eye on in the market. Ciao Bella is another mares' maiden hurdle winner at Fairyhouse. After that success in March, her trainer Liz Doyle commented that she will be lovely over a fence so she is another with claims on chasing debut.

• Top Tip: REINE FEE (4)
• Watch out for: VALENTINA LADY (5)

DOWNTOWN QUEEN catches the eye on debut for Henry de Bromhead. This Presenting filly is related to three multiple winners who were all particularly good in this discipline. She will certainly know her job. Derracrin is an obvious threat for Willie and Patrick Mullins. The race he finished fifth in at Galway now looks more than decent as several winners have come out of it. Gordon Elliott has won this race three times in the last five years, so his newcomer The Mediator is of interest especially if strong in the market. Ballyglass has been placed in two bumpers and is proven on deep ground if plenty of rain duly arrives.

• Top Tip: DOWNTOWN QUEEN (14)
• Watch out for: DERRACRIN (3)