RACING: After a hectic Christmas and New Year programme Irish racegoers have no choices to make this weekend with only Cork today and Naas tomorrow laying on cards.
Naas provides the only Graded race, the Woodlands Park 100 Slaney Novice Hurdle but the more punter-friendly offering is to be found at Cork.
Adarma, one of seven declared for the big race, on her latest start offered an unhappy experience more akin to a Dickensian Christmas tale.
The mare, the shortest priced loser at Leopardstown, exited from the Durkan New Homes Hurdle at the first flight when many of those who had laid the odds had not even managed to secure their place on the stand.
Previously she had won two hurdles but I question if she is up to the class of Strike Back (1.45) who was third to Newhall at Fairyhouse having beaten Watson Lake over this course and distance in November.
Adarma's handler, Christy Roche, may have better luck with Yeoman's Point (1.15) and Francines-Boy (2.15).
The former is looking for his second win over fences and going back to his flat racing days at Ballydoyle, this son of Sadler's Wells has regularly demonstrated versatility and class.
Yeoman's Point was never off the bridle at Navan to beat Pay It Forward by a four length margin that could have been trebled.
Francines-Boy is not in the same league as Yeoman's Point but he narrowly missed pulling the Christmas Cracker Handicap Chase at Navan. If Cadou Royal, who got his head in front in the photo, had been an absentee the judge would have decided that Francines-Boy had scored by a distance from Native Beat.
The Carberry brothers, Paul and Philip, could have a battle royal before the New Year's Resolution Maiden Hurdle is decided.
Paul partners the consistent Cupla Cairde for Dessie Hughes but on a line through Dolmur and Mangoe Catcher, it is possible to argue that Youngblood has the better credentials.
Philip's mount was second at Leopardstown on Saturday to Guilt and although beaten seven lengths, was actually the same distance ahead of the third-placed Dark Vocation.
At Cork this afternoon with prospects of a treble ahead of him Paul Carberry should make no mistake in the first race. Here he rides Star Of Bethlehem for David Wachman and the partnership can outpace Take Five who was a second-fence faller in the Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Leopardstown.
The other likely winners for him are Beechcourt and Mutakarrim both of whom may have been beaten at Leopardstown but now face less intimidating opposition.
It will be interesting to observe how the betting pans out in the bumper but even though Mill Vale (3.45) has not run for 18 months, John Kiely has such a good line that this could be another successful gamble for the Waterford trainer and amateur Derek O'Connor.
