Tramore continues through the weekend and Charlie Swan looks a man to keep on the right side of through the two days. Swan takes the reins on the latest Aidan O'Brien three-year-old to go hurdling, Rainbow Warrior, in the Gillane Amusements Maiden and this one looks a reasonable bet to make a successful debut.
Winner of a Tipperary handicap in June, Rainbow Warrior was not as highly rated on the flat as Dermot Weld's Smokey Pete, but is the sort of tough, consistent animal that should be suited by the challenge of jumping and in Swan he has the ideal sympathetic horseman on board for a first timer.
In contrast Legitman is a tried and trusted operator over the flights having won at Tralee and Kilbeggan this summer. If Enda Bolger's seven-year-old can transfer that sort of form to the Gain Beginners Chase and jumps adequately, he will take a lot of beating, especially in a race that is far from inspiring.
Racing starts today with the Kent Bros Maiden Hurdle which is quite an interesting little contest with the likes of Bavario, Mister Munnelly and King Of The Dawn sure to attract attention.
However, preference is for Paul Carberry's mount Men Of Ninety-eight who, despite being a drifter in the market for a bumper at Galway last time, ran reasonably well to finish fourth to the smart Bayling.
Paul Hourigan and Forest Princess will take a lot of beating in the Cummins Bookmaker Handicap, while Lady Oranswell can follow up her six-length defeat of Kram at Galway with another success in the Griffin Handicap.
Swan may not be at the double tomorrow but he does look to have a first rate chance of landing the featured Richard Power Handicap Hurdle with the rejuvenated Welsh Grit.
The Willie Mullins-trained horse looked to be a sort that lacked a touch of finishing pace at the end of his races but there was nothing at the end of the £20,000 handicap on the last day of Galway to suggest that, as he kept on gamely to beat stable companion Sambara by three parts of a length with Fair Society back in third. Despite dropping back in distance now, Welsh Grit can follow up successfully.
The bet of the day though could be Graphic Image who looked to have done everything right in a chase at Galway only for Brownrath King to appear from nowhere to pip him on the line. The Killowen Chase looks likely to be suitable compensation, while if Phareign, due to run last night, turns out again in the WLR Handicap Hurdle, he will take a lot of beating.
. Another bumper crowd estimated at 6,500 by manager Michael Murphy, turned out for the second day of the August Festival at the new look Tramore last evening, where the featured Glenpatrick Spring Water Handicap Chase went to Strong Gale, owned and trained by Tallow permit holder, John Morrison.
Partnered by Mick Murphy, who will be 28 next month, the Strong Gale gelding, successful over fences at Ballinrobe last month, swept to the front soon after jumping the penultimate fence before staying on well to beat Have A Brandy and Willie Slattery.
