RACING: The euro may not be the unit of currency officially circulating in the North of Ireland but the Turf Club and Horse Racing Ireland pay no heed to such trifles and all today's prizemoney is designated in this coinage, with the Powers Ulster National offering the most valuable steeplechase purse ever run at Downpatrick.
Money alone does not suffice though to make a spectacle and 40 years ago this race with a fraction of the money attracted a mammoth crowd thanks to the presence in the line-up of a royal runner, Laffy, trained by Peter Cazalet and ridden by Willie Robinson.
Laffy delivered under top weight of 12 stone but today's top weight Pre Ordained may find the concession to the Enda Bolger-trained Back In Thyne beyond him.
The overnight weather forecasts sugggest the ground becoming heavy and it was on such conditions that Back In Thyne ran a close second to Camden West at Clonmel.
The handicap hurdle top weights have been decimated this winter but Jacksons Gold is napped to provide a turn of luck. He was a convincing winner of the Reindeer Handicap Hurdle at Navan before Christmas.
Noel Meade is the trainer with the best double chance thanks to Gimme Gimme, who can profit from the presumed absence of stablemate Naomh Padraig to win the opener, and Eternal Night, who can open his account over fences.
Meanwhile, in Britain, Feanor can confirm her liking for Catterick by taking the opening Frank Freeman Novices' Hurdle there.
Trainer George Moore is doubly represented in the two-mile event, with Jungle Jinks also travelling from his Middleham headquarters, but it is Feanor who really catches the eye.
The four-year-old recorded her only success to date over the course and distance at the end of January when staying on well to deny Sports Express by two lengths.
The stamina-sapping extended three miles, one furlong of the Pytchley Echo Novices' Handicap Chase should suit Tobesure down to the ground.
Alistair Charlton's charge had a spin over hurdles last time finishing third (beaten six lengths) to Tarbolton Moss at Newcastle.
The eight-year-old's best performance over fences came when he was a 20 lengths runner-up to Barton at Newcastle in November and a repeat of that performance should see him home.
Jonjo O'Neill is having his best season and he can land Bangor's Tote Bookmakers Novices' Handicap Hurdle with the treble-seeking Java Sea.
