It should pay to keep the powder relatively dry until the last race this evening at Gowran Park where Richard Dunwoody and Try For Ever can win an intriguing Bennettsbridge Novice Hurdle.
This two mile contest is interesting because of the question marks surrounding some of the leading contenders. Snow Falcon has been lumbered with top weight of 12st 1lb but even with that would still have to be fancied on the strength of his second to Grimes at Punchestown in April, except for the nagging doubt over his last race.
That was when Snow Falcon was well fancied to win the GPT Amateur Handicap at Galway but even with the top English amateur Robert Thornton on his back, Snow Falcon dropped out like a stone down the back stretch to end up second last behind Saving Bond.
It transpired afterwards that Snow Falcon had been struckinto during the race but it's hardly the most encouraging evidence going into tonight's race.
Solvang goes into virgin territory, having jumped poorly when a red hot favourite to win his third novice chase in a row, also at the Ballybrit track. A smart bumper performer, Solvang should run a lot better now but he can hardly be backed with confidence to win.
In contrast, the consistent Try For Ever ran a blinder at Galway. It was only in the closing stages that she eventually gave way to the smart pair of Quinze and Taklif in a conditions hurdle, finishing less than two lengths behind the former in an enjoyable finish.
Dunwoody rode Quinze on that occasion and his presence on the back of Try For Ever is further cause for encourgement.
The most valuable race on the card is the Carroll's Ladies Race and the safest option in a trappylooking event could be the Jim Bolger-trained Ballinola Lad.
The form of this horses short head defeat of Citizen Kane in Cork nine days ago has been franked since by the runner-up and although the Galway winner Willyelkra could run another good race, he is taking a significant drop in distance and may not have the finishing kick to cope with Ballinola Lad.
Bolger can enter the winner's enclosure earlier with Silly Imp in the St Mullins Handicap. Silly Imp ran on well to take fifth behind Norweigan Blue in a valuable handicap at Leopardstown, giving the impression that she could well be suited by the extra furlong and stiff uphill finish of this evening's race. If that's correct, Silly Imp will be a a formidable opponent for the likes of the Cork winner Ashions and the Leopardstown victor Bailiwick Frontier.
Another of the big yards, that of John Oxx, also look set to be on the scoresheet, on this occasion courtesy of Agent Scully in the Graigue Maiden.
This one made quite a promising racecourse debut at Roscommon last Tuesday when recovering from a poor break from the stalls to finish fifth behind Buncrana, with one of tonight's opponents Yudrik ahead of her in third. However, with the benefit of that first effort under her belt, Agent Scully should improve significantly, more so than most of her more experienced rivals.
Aidan O'Brien may have to settle for only one winner this evening in the shape of Bessmount Leader as Ballymore Thatch is the preferred choice to O'Brien's Vintners Venture in the Goresbridge Handicap Hurdle.
