WHISKEY Sour can roll back the years in the three-mile conditions hurdle at Down Royal on Friday evening.
The 10-year-old showed that he still retains plenty of spark with a big run in the valuable amateur handicap at Galway in late July.
Despite going to post a 25/1 shot then he led them down into 'the dip' before giving way turning for home and finished a decent fifth behind the well handicapped Teed Up.
That was his first outing since last November and this looks like a nice opportunity to get him back into the winners' enclosure now.
Three miles is a bit of an unknown over timber for the Jeremy gelding but he does stay really well on the Flat so there has to be every chance he'll get the trip.
The furthest he has won over is two-and-a-half miles and he has never been asked to tackle three miles but it looks worth backing him to get home.
On ratings Jeff Kidder would appear the danger in the field but he is also unproven at the trip.
Streets Of Doyen does stay well and could be a leading player despite a disappointing effort over fences last time. He does have to give weight to all his rivals though.
One horse who thrives on a test of stamina is Winnie Woodnutt and she can strike again back over timber in the following handicap over the same trip.
David Harvey's charge was given a well judged ride by his grandson Alex to win over fences at Kilbeggan a week ago and can back up that victory.
She had been running over trips shorter than ideal prior to that win and there looks to be a race in her off this mark over hurdles back up at three miles.
The two-and-a-half mile maiden hurdle on the card looks a fairly poor contest and Harley Street should be able to get off the mark over jumps.
He was given a stiff task on his hurdling debut when thrown into Grade Three company at Fairyhouse back in February and weakened to finish out the back.
The Kodiac gelding had looked a nice type when winning the second of his two starts on the Flat for Ballydoyle last October and has the ability to be a decent dual purpose type.
His trainer Joseph O'Brien could have a good start to proceedings. Cossack Chach was impressive in Killarney and should prove hard to beat in the opener.
In the mares' maiden hurdle Goodie Two Shoes is another smart Flat performer who should appreciate having her sights lowered now back over jumps.
GARY CARSON'S DOWN ROYAL SELECTIONS
(next best in brackets)
4.25 Cossack Chach (Spinning Web)
5.00 Goodie Two Shoes (Stellar Queen)
5.30 Wee Charlie (Invictus World)
6.05 Harley Street (Pinyon Jay)
6.35 Whiskey Sour (nap) (Jeff Kidder)
7.05 Winnie Woodnutt (Walking The Walk)
7.35 Beauforts Storm (Roedora)
