RACING/Galway preview:As tipsters go JP McManus would, to say the least, have a bit of a following and the legendary owner-gambler has thrown a very public vote of confidence to Kadoun in today's Hewlett-Packard Galway Plate.
Kadoun will carry the McManus colours for the first time after a deal that was concluded only at the start of the week.
The Michael O'Brien-trained horse will thus make up a McManus team of four horses in the festival highlight as the owner tries to add to the success of Grimes just two years ago.
The "new boy" looks a clear pick of the quartet after the heavy rain that fell yesterday and the presence of Knife Edge and Go Roger Go at the top of the handicap helps keep his weight at a handy 11st.
Amateur Denis Cullen takes 5lb off and the partnership has been a revelation this year with only a Punchestown fall interrupting a streak of victories since February.
Significantly the most impressive of them came on heavy going at Leopardstown in February. A run on the flat at Bellewstown was a perfect warm up and O'Brien won the Plate with Dovaly three years ago.
The trainer also runs last year's runner-up Wotsitooya but the ground has surely gone for that one.
Of Kadoun, however, O'Brien said yesterday: "He's in great form and the ground makes no difference to him. If he is on the premises in the dip, there won't be many come up the hill better than him."
That finishing strength is just what the Plate demands and Kadoun's ability over three miles will surely come into play.
Peter Bowen's Ballycassidy and Zafarabad will try and emulate Amlah's 1998 success for Britain and Bowen gave an upbeat report yesterday.
"Over hurdles he looked a better horse on softish and he travelled over well. The one thing is that he hasn't had a hard race yet. I've no doubt he'll get one now," he said.
That is certain: less certain is how the likes of the five-time course winner Ansar, Go Roger Go, Torduff Boy and Thari will go in the conditions.
Lord Of The Turf will act on the soft going and brings an admirable track record but a bigger threat may be Back On Top.
The Magnier-owned horse is a stone higher for his last chase victory in April and also won his warm up at the Curragh.
But if Kadoun is at the forefront of the pack coming down the hill then the McManus purchase should pay immediate dividends.
It's almost a year since Dr Knock ran over a mile and a half but he comes back to the scene of his second to Lowlander last season and off the same 66 mark he looks worth a bet.
Seamus Heffernan's mount has been running over two miles recently without any real distinction but is proven on a soft surface and can beat the Dermot Weld runner Great Compton.
The Weld team do, however, look to have the winning of the first with Direct Bearing and the mile maiden could be the race where the frustrating but 92-rated Hazelhatch finally gets his head in front.
Cathy Gannon is a real player in the apprentice jockey championship this season and she looks to hold a couple of chances this afternoon.
Top Star is 12lb higher for a seven-length win on the heavy at Killarney and has a shout in the mile handicap while Kilmannin, by College Chapel, is nicely drawn in the seven-furlong handicap.
