The Folkes Tiara may be able to gain an overdue win at Downpatrick on Thursday afternoon.
Henry de Bromhead’s charge has become a bit frustrating with seven placed efforts on the racecourse since winning a point-to-point on his debut a couple of years ago.
The Shirocco gelding managed to finish third off a mark of 124 in a handicap chase at Punchestown on his penultimate start and is perhaps a better chaser than hurdler.
He should still be up to winning a race of this standard, though, where the main danger would appear to be the 104-rated Gino Drummer Boy.
To be fair to The Folkes Tiara he probably bumped into a useful sort in Katou in Tramore last time and this looks a winnable opportunity now.
Gino Drummer Boy was beaten favourite on his last outing at Kilbeggan and appeared to be given plenty to do that day before staying on into fourth late on.
He had shaped with promise in a couple of maiden hurdles prior to that and could play a bigger role today.
One to note in the market is the Gavin Cromwell-trained Now Is The Hour. The Westerner gelding won his point-to-point by a wide margin but that didn’t look a strong contest.
The opening mares’ maiden hurdle looks like a particularly weak contest and the Willie Mullins-trained Mote Park may be good enough to score.
She was well beaten when last seen in a bumper at Tramore in December having been very easy to back that day.
The Doyen mare had shaped with promise on her debut at Cork previously when fourth to Mollys Mango and that was quite a good race, with the winner going on to finish placed in a listed event.
Mote Park is sure to be well schooled for her jumping debut now and is the only runner on the card for the champion trainer.
Gordon Elliott is, by a long way, the leading trainer at the venue and could bag another couple of winners.
Foxfire Glow looks hard to oppose in the two-mile-five maiden hurdle after a couple of solid placed efforts recently.
Elliott saddles two in the rated novice hurdle with Jack Kennedy taking the mount on Gortmillish.
The Sinndar gelding returned from a long absence to run out an easy winner at Perth recently and this looks like a nice stepping stone now.
SELECTION NEXT BEST
2.40: Mote Park (Dbl) Bayonetta
3.15: The Folkes Tiara (Nap) Now Is The Hour
3.50: C'est Quelqu'un Clear The Clouds
4.25: Foxfire Glow Howaya C D And E
5.00: Gortmillish Charlie Luciano
5.35: Winnie Woodnutt Ceanndana
6.05: Air Drop New Sheriff
