The clash of Florida Pearl, Strong Promise et al lies in wait at Down Royal tomorrow, but there is a valuable pipe-opener for fans today with the £50,000 SERE Handicap Hurdle.
When it comes these type of events, Arthur Moore is always a valuable man to have in your corner. The Naas trainer's record in the top handicaps is extremely impressive over the years and his charge today, Owen Bart, appears to have the credentials to add to that record.
Owen Bart already has the Smithwicks Handicap at the Listowel festival to his credit when getting home by a length from Samapour, and that runnerup provides some interesting formlines to some of the opposition here.
The pacey Quintus also put Samapour in the two spot when putting three and a half lengths between himself and the opposition at Gowran, and a subsequent defeat by Stage Affair at Tipperary was no disgrace.
The bare evidence of the formbook suggests, however, that Owen Bart could have the edge, and Moore has added to the plus points with the booking of the good 5lb claimer Kieran Kelly. Of the others, Balla Sola looks opposable due to weight, while the McManus pair of Vivo and Khairabar could find the going plenty tough enough.
Moore can also take the handicap chase with the novice, Regency Rake, who scored at Gowran from River Cora and Snow Dragon; but Moore's charge in the beginners' chase, the Dundalk winner Folliday, could find Ted Walsh's Tory Bush, a running-on third to The Dell at Gowran, too much to handle.
Noel Meade introduces McCracken to jumping in the opener, and although it was a long time before the horse finally broke his Flat duck at Navan, he did show talent and flights could be the making of him.
Hobart Frisbey overcame problems to beat Dr Torus at Tipperary and can follow up in the last; while the distance of the second race can see Somemanforoneman break his duck for Mouse Morris.
