THIS evening's Lockes Whiskey Handicap Chase has attracted the first four home in a similar event at Kilbeggan last month, not to mention the beaten favourite, Merry People, who finished lame in sixth place.

Previously successful over this course and distance, Merry People then relegated Waterloo Ball to fourth place, while Fay's Folly, runner-up to Got No Choice at the later meeting, finished fifth. A consistent sort, John Queally's charge will be well suited to the good underfoot conditions and granted a trouble-free round, can recover losses. Ballinaboola Grove, recently successful at Downpatrick, may give the selection most to do.

The horses-for-courses theory will also be put to the test in the Innkeepers Novice Hurdle, in which Allatrim, a creditable third behind Reeves at Tralee, returns to the scene of her long awaited maiden hurdle success. Jane Digby, who also ran well at Tralee, had previously finished a head second behind I Remember It Well in a handicap hurdle over this course, and Aidan O'Brien's charge, better suited to the prevailing going, is preferred.

Forest Lady, runner-up to Allatrim here, attempts to go one better in the four-horse Foster and Allen Handicap Hurdle, but I Remember It Well will be hard to beat.

Third behind Allatrim and Forest Lady, Flying In The Gale is the choice for the Brosna Maiden Hurdle.

.Even Top recaptured his early season sparkle at York yesterday to remove the worry lines from the face of his trainer Mark Tompkins. The colt had finished unplaced in both the Derby and Great Voltigeur Stakes since his narrow defeat by Mark of Esteem in the 2,000 Guineas.