Racing: Paul Carberry is willing to gamble on ante-post favourite Dun Doire getting a run in the Ellen Construction Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park tomorrow.
The Tony Martin-trained seven-year-old is listed as first reserve for the valuable handicap and connections are hoping one of the 18 declared runners will pull out at the last minute.
Carberry had been offered the ride on the Paul Nolan-trained Colnel Rayburn, but has turned it down in case Dun Doire manages to get a run.
"I've had no confirmation from anyone yet that any of the others have pulled out," said Martin. "I've rung around a few of them and they will know better in the morning. With a bit of luck he'll get in.
"We're hopeful of getting a run as one of the runners may have a little problem in the morning but then again so might we.
"The reason Paul has had to take a gamble is that he can't put himself down for Colnel Rayburn and then if something drops out change over to ride Dun Doire. The stewards wouldn't let him do that.
"Paul was offered the ride on Colnel Rayburn but he said he'd rather stick with our lad and ride nothing else if he doesn't get in."
Nolan is triple-handed in the race with Coljon and Kymandjen both taking their chances in addition to Colnel Rayburn.
"We were glad the weights didn't shift up too much because with the ground being as it is at the moment, if you are carrying over 11st 7lb in the big handicaps you don't have much of a chance," said Nolan.
"Colnel Rayburn is a huge horse so he can carry the weight but the thing about all three of mine is that they are all exposed. The race Coljon won, he beat Homer Wells which looks good form but he stole the race that day so he was flattered.
"Everyone thought he was going to stop and he didn't. If he's going to have a chance in a handicap it will be tomorrow off that weight (10st 4lbs) though."
Stable jockey John Cullen is set to ride Kymandjen while Davy Russell comes in for the mount on Colnel Rayburn.
PA