IT IS AN ironical twist of fate that while Imperial Call's blood cell situation has deprived Gowran Park of its major crowd drawing card today, in his absence Harcon is likely to start an even hotter favourite for the Red Mills Trials Chase than would have been the case if Imperial Call had been in the field.

Jim Dreaper has exercised monumental patience with Harcon since the horse finished lame in the Heineken Gold Cup at Punchestown almost two years ago. With a horse built on the lines of Harcon, there is no room for a gamble and he can be paid off with an easy winning comeback.

He was a smashing novice chaser, even if I have still not quite recovered from the financial shock of seeing him lose the Sun Alliance Chase at Cheltenham to Josh Gifford's mare Brief Gale.

Of his three rivals today neither Le Ginno nor Cheslock appear possible dangers and while there was a time when Nuaffe, at a difference of 6lb, would have stretched Harcon, he has lost touch with form and will now be meeting Harcon on a stone worse than handicap terms.

There has been some long odds nibbling at Dardjini for the Smurfit Champion Hurdle and he has an opportunity of proving that she was an unlucky loser of the AIG Europe Champion Hurdle at Leopardstown, when he runs in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle today.

Even after a mistake at the third last flight, he still loomed up full of zest to throw down a renewed challenge to his stablemate Cockney Lad and Theatreworld. He blundered badly again and was beaten a total of three lengths.

Dardjini now meets Theatreworld on more favourable terms and on a course that should also prove more to his liking.

Clifdon Fog, who was a fancy for the Ladbroke, and then ran third to Metastasio at Naas can take the measure of Lady Arpel and Kilcoo Boy in the Red Mills Hi Pro Handicap Hurdle.

Gentle Buck, who has not run since flopping as the second favourite behind Urubande over hurdles at Navan, turns his attention to fences in the Red Mills Stable Feed Beginners Chase. In the hands of Conor O'Dwyer this appeals as a winning combination.

In division one of the Red Mills Quality Feed Maiden Hurdle Aidan O'Brien's runner Dramatist, who won his bumper at Wexford in June, has to have a strong case for victory.

His stablemate Tormond Perk may not measure up to the standard needed in division two where Richard Hughes rides Saving Bond for Noel Meade. He has been second in his last three starts but was unfortunate to come up against Grey Guy at Fairybouse.