Monday's Irish Previews:Ireland's top two trainers, Noel Meade and Willie Mullins, both made hay during the Christmas period and they could have an intriguing little clash in the two-and-a-half-mile maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse on Monday with Offaly possibly coming out best for the champion.
Offaly has already scored this season, when beating Notre Pere in the Punchestown bumper, and that form got a significant boost this week at Leopardstown.
The form of his subsequent start over hurdles behind De Valira at Fairyhouse hardly got knocked during the week either and Meade looks to have secured a good opportunity for the horse to break his duck over jumps.
A snag could come, however, from the Mullins-trained Irish Invader who won the bumper on this card last January and who didn't run a bad race behind Shanghide recently.
Tony Martin is always a man to be feared around Fairyhouse and Rare Ouzel looks an eye-catching runner in the three-mile handicap chase considering how well he ran on at Thurles on his last start behind Braun Star.
Heavy ground won't be any problem to Rare Ouzel and it shouldn't be an issue either for Pantarez in the handicap hurdle. Mickey Flynn's horse shaped up as a possible winner behind View Mount Prince early in the straight at Leopardstown on Thursday before fading in the closing stages. Monday's race looks easier.
Cashel Bay has a lot of weight in the first handicap hurdle but he was running on noticeably well at Leopardstown on Wednesday behind Valley Of Giants and the ex-Ballydoyle horse could provide Luke Comer with a welcome success.
The Tramore New Year's Day feature is the Listed Wilf Dooley Chase which looks another good opportunity for the Willie Mullins team with the versatile Mossy Green. The veteran put in a fine effort over hurdles at Thurles to beat Pacolet on his last start and he looks weighted to beat the likes of Coljon and Garvivonnian.
Racing opens at Tramore with an opportunity for big punters to get stuck into what looks a very good betting opportunity in the shape of Lady Sagamix in the two-and-a-half mile maiden hurdle.
Edward O'Grady's horse made a gallant effort to win at Leopardstown and it was only on the run-in that she gave way in the race won by Hot Port.
Good Thing might be the big threat this time but the Taaffe runner shouldn't be able to get the better of Lady Sagamix.
Denis O'Regan looks to have a decent book of rides with some of Tyone Legend's form making him a big player in the first maiden hurdle while Wishwillow Lord should go close in the Beginners Chase.
