RACING: Barry Geraghty can warm up for his Grade One rides at Fairyhouse tomorrow by making an early mark at the Co Meath track today.

By Brian O'Connor

The former champion jockey has an enviable book of rides today that include the Ericsson winner Foxchapel King who takes on the former Irish National hero Davids Lad in the Porterstown Handicap Chase. The pair are the only two in the handicap proper but 12st on "yielding to soft" going is a test for any horse.

Geraghty is on Mirpour in the Grade Three Juvenile Hurdle and the addition of blinkers to this former high-class flat handicapper should see him go one better than his Navan debut.

Geraghty's dilemma of choosing from his beginners' chase options hardly compares to the call he had in choosing Le Coudray over Barrow Drive in tomorrow's Drinmore. Nevertheless, his presence on Kapok's back looks significant and Turtleback could be another for the jockey in the conditions hurdle.

Reportedly, no problems are expected with tomorrow's Cork card getting the go ahead but already the authorities have been busy making up for some lost fixtures.

Horse Racing |Ireland announced yesterday that there will be an additional meeting at Thurles on Wednesday, December 18th, and another at Tramore on Tuesday, December 31st.

Cork's green light will have been welcome news to Dessie Hughes who gives Central House a start in the opening novice hurdle.

A narrow bumper winner at Punchestown, Central House looked a smart customer when following up with an easy hurdles success at Clonmel. Beechcourt and the O'Grady-trained Glenhaven Nugget make it a decent enough race tomorrow and Central House should be a decent enough price.

Hits And Memories looked to throw away a winning chance at Wexford last time out with a blunder at the last flight allowing in Tupgill Tipple. There are no obstacles ahead of her in the mares bumper and she looks worth another shout.

Despite being quoted as low as 10 to 1 for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle, trainer Jonjo O'Neill insisted that Rhinestone Cowboy would not even run in the race after he scored impressively at Newbury yesterday.

The former smart bumper performer was given an ultra-confident ride on his hurdling debut by Norman Williamson who barely moved a muscle as the pair sauntered home by a hard held three-quarters of a length from Far Horizon in Division Two of the Systems By Design-Commercial Interiors Maiden Hurdle.