Racing: Connections of ante-post favourite Farmer Brown are hoping their long-term plan can come to fruition in tomorrow's Guinness Galway Hurdle.
Trainer Pat Hughes has had the race in mind for some time now and the six-year-old heads for the valuable contest in the form of his life.
After winning twice over hurdles in May, he had his Galway prep race on the level at Leopardstown when finishing an unlucky second to odds-on favourite Westlake.
"He's in very good form," said Hughes.
"Once he ran well in those two good races at Fairyhouse and Punchestown in April, we said that we would go for the Galway Hurdle with him.
"The conditions should be right for him anyway, he wouldn't have gone on firm ground.
"The little bit of rain should have helped. He goes on most ground but as long as he can get his toe in he is happy.
"Davy Russell will ride him and they seem to get on very well together.
"I'm surprised the weights haven't gone up though, the top weight is only carrying 11st 7lb which is unusual. I thought they would go up to 11st 10lb
"It should help those at the bottom but all we can hope for now is a bit of luck in running."
Noel Glynn has high hopes for the five-year-old Serve Time, the mount of champion jockey Tony McCoy.
Glynn has some lofty expectations of his lightly-raced runner and is already eyeing up next year's Cheltenham Festival for the Benny The Dip gelding.
"He'll have a big chance. I was hoping Essex would stay in because that would have left him with a nice racing weight," said Glynn.
"He is only five and 11 stone is quite a lot for a novice but we are hoping for a big run. He should have a bit of improvement in him, he has only had seven runs.
"He came from Newmarket and his old trainer couldn't get him in the stalls, otherwise he would still be running on the Flat.
"He's always been smart, he won his first bumper and he is very genuine. His last run was a great run, even though he got beaten, and he came out of it really well.
"He was coming back again at the line after being in front a long way out. He was giving lumps of weight away and he is a bit better off with the winner (Hegrid) tomorrow.
"He'll be going over fences after this. He's a very good jumper and we are already looking to Cheltenham with him."