RACING PREVIEW:ONE COOL Cookie can pick up the first black type of 2009 when he lines up at Tramore tomorrow afternoon, but punters at Fairyhouse will be hoping one of the star names of 2008 can keep his run of success going into the New Year, writes Brian O'Connor, Racing Correspondent.
Paul Townend has stormed his way to the forefront of the jump jockeys tree in Ireland in the last couple of months, and he teams up with Dermot Weld for the opening maiden hurdle at the Co Meath track.
Gentleman Jeff was brought back to action by Weld at Leopardstown last Saturday when he ran an encouraging sixth behind Realt Dubh.
Today's race is no easy task, and Kandari will be a threat after his form behind Quiscover Fontaine was boosted on St Stephen's Day.
The jockey to follow at Fairyhouse, however, should be Andrew McNamara, who looks to have a first-rate chance in the second maiden hurdle when he teams up with Cockleshell Road.
Edward O'Grady's horse was good enough to run 10th in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham last season, and there was plenty of promise in his jumping debut at Punchestown when fifth to Persian City.
McNamara was disappointed with Sizing Europe's lacklustre effort at Leopardstown on Monday, but the Henry De Bromhead team can bounce back with victory for Sizing America in the Beginners Chase.
The 119-rated performer has had plenty of chances but will rarely get a better opportunity than this.
Tony Martin landed a gamble at Navan earlier this month when Lochan Laca justified favouritism, and an 11lb rise in the ratings for that three-and-a-half-length defeat of Lord Of The Tavern doesn't look enough to stop a follow up in the first handicap hurdle.
The Listed Wilf Dooly Chase is the centrepiece of Tramore's New Year's Day card and it looks a good opportunity for the former Grade One winner One Cool Cookie to regain the winning thread.
The Charlie Swan-trained horse travelled to Huntingdon three weeks ago for his last start and ran a decent fourth to Monets Garden and Snoopy Loopy in the Peterborough Chase.
One Cool Cookie is top-rated in tomorrow's race and is taken to come out on top against some well known names that include another former Grade One winner, the 2006 Cheltenham Gold Cup third-placed Forget The Past.
The Swan team will also fancy their chances in the two-and-a-half-mile maiden hurdle with Curragower, whose bumper form includes a decent run behind Hugo De Vindecy at Punchestown.
Port La Chaine has been tough to win with but Arthur Moore looks to have secured a good opportunity in the two-mile maiden hurdle.
A repeat of his run behind In The Haven at Downpatrick should be good enough to win this.
Takeyourpick was a Downpatrick winner on his last start and can follow up in the handicap chase, while Caltra Princess could be the one to score first at the venue in 2009 in the novice handicap hurdle.
