GLADIATORIAL appeared to have a good opportunity in a novice hurdle at Navan before Christmas but was withdrawn because of the bad ground.
Michael Grassick's charge reappears in today's Harristown Novice Hurdle with an obvious chance on his running behind The Latvian Lark over this course in October. There will be a precautionary inspection of the course at 7.30 a.m. but racing looks certain.
Like Gladiatorial, Mullover finished well clear of Noble Shoon when winning his maiden hurdle at Clonmel but was unplaced on two subsequent occasions behind Tartooth.
Montelisa ran Run Rose Run to a head in a handicap hurdle at Thurles with the useful Ancient Historian relegated to third place.
Gladiatorial should be capable of taking care of this duo.
The remainder of the programme is pedestrian. Fairy Mist can make the most of his lightweight in the Final Handicap Chase. He fell half-way in the chase won by Irish Light at Limerick but had earlier beaten Doonega in a handicap chase at Clonmel.
Dessie Hughes has prospects of a double with Johnny's Dream in the Brannockstown Handicap Hurdle and Na Huibheachu in the Dunstown Maiden Hurdle. The former dead-heated in a handicap hurdle at Galway in August and has since run reasonably well.
The Martin Lynch trained Ptarmigan Lodge, the nine-length winner of a 23-runner handicap hurdle at Navan, is napped to follow-up in the Dunlavin Handicap hurdle and as yesterday's winner Finchpalm, is now not qualified the beginners chase should be won by Corket who is reported to be in good form and jumping well.
