THERE will hardly be an opportunity for hard pressed punters to come up for air over this long weekend, such is the plethora of racing, but Dromineer looks the horse to at least get everything off to a good start at Gowran Park this afternoon.
Dromineer's main potential is over hurdles, as he proved when beating the likes of the smart Hill Society at the Fairyhouse Grand National meeting, but he showed when winning on the flat at Killarney three weeks ago that today's McEnery Cup Handicap looks to be well within his range in the meantime.
At Killarney, Mick Kinane was a significant booking for the six year old and over the 11 furlong trip Dromineer needed all of the former champion's strength to get him home three quarters of a length clear of Sarpader.
The runner up subsequently won at Dundalk in good style so the form looks solid, and while Sarpader's stable companion, Power Play is sure to be a factor in today's race, Dromineer, over this longer distance and with Kinane again on board, is the nap selection.
Nordic Project was an impressively smooth winner of the open ing race on Irish 1,000 Guineas day at the Curragh last weekend, and the colt can score his third handicap success in a row in the Ormonde Handicap.
Jim Bolger's three year old had previously beaten Lunasa by three parts of a length at Cork but showed he is improving at the Curragh.
A couple of Aidan O'Brien trained winners is almost de rigeur these days, and this afternoon shouldn't be an exception.
Festival Song is the latest in the Ballydoyle juvenile production line to appear in the seven furlong maiden and is an almost automatic selection while Ministerial Model, despite top weight in the Rossenarra Handicap, can add to his narrow defeat of Poker B at the Curragh last weekend.
O'Brien can continue the trend at tomorrow's Tralee fixture where Colm's Rock looks worthy of particular interest in the Stanley Handicap Hurdle.
Although there are only four runners in this, it should still be a fascinating encounter, particularly between Colm's Rock and Bob The Yank. The pair met at Killarney 20 days ago when Bob The Yank looked to have Colm's Rock held when that one fell at the last.
However since then, Colm's Rock has absolutely trotted up in a handicap at Naas and on 3lbs better terms, allied to better ground, looks a reasonable bet to reverse the placings.
O'Brien's representative in the bumper, Hyelord, hasn't run since April 1st, but showed more than enough then - when a good third to Solvang and Cirvin at Fairyhouse - to suggest he can win this despite the absence.
Graham Bradley can make his trip from Lambourn to Kerry more than worthwhile with Legatissimo in the opening Ballyheigue Maiden Hurdle. This one's last two runs at Tipperary and Listowel look to give him an outstanding chance of breaking his duck.
Two Bandits's chance in the Dennys Maiden may not be quite as obvious, with the likes of Fairy Lake and Stonehaven in opposition but Con Collins's horse is a consistent type who didn't run at all badly last time at Tipperary.
