If any one had any doubts about the explosion in Ireland's racehorse population this year, they will have been eliminated by the experience at Bellewstown this week. The standard of race here caters for the lower range of handicapper, flat and hurdle.

In consequence there is yet another eight-race programme down for decision at the final session this evening and the list of overnight declarations, total 145, an all time record for a course where the racing has been taking place for close to 300 years.

Mrs Cryss O'Reilly who recorded her first Group Race success in Ireland when Polaire short-headed Lady In Waiting in Saturday's Pretty Polly Stakes should ensure that for the third evening in a row the favourite wins the first race on the card.

On this occasion her colours will be sported by Sahara Song and in this instance the trainer is John Oxx who won this race last year. Sahara Song was made odds on at Cork and had the race won everywhere but on the line where the Aidan O'Brien trained Martial Eagle got up.

The Crockafoitha Handicap Hurdle sponsored by course bookmaker Seamus Mulvaney has been divided. Lismeenana who shed his maiden certificate with a smooth three and a half length win from Rovet in a Roscommon maiden hurdle could now graduate with profit to a handicap in division one.

If Pat Hughes has Men Of Ninetyeight on song for his first start of the year, he could continue his trainer's golden patch in the less competitive division two.

It is hard to see what went wrong with Nazmi who was a short-priced favourite at Cork but failed to get into money when unplaced to Tasik Chini. In what was a much hotter race at Fairyhouse in November he was second to Kamactay. If he can do that he would have the comfortable winning of the Thatch Bar Maiden Hurdle.

Queen Mary Stakes heroine Shining Hour heads 14 entries for the Group Two Charles Heidsieck Cherry Hinton Stakes at Newmarket on Tuesday.