There may have been easier winners this year than Try For Ever at the Curragh five days ago, but not many.

The Noel Meade-trained mare took a 0-100 handicap by three lengths but Richard Hughes was a study in immobility as they passed the post and, with the memory of that still fresh, Try For Ever is the selection in today's feature, the £25,000 Smithwicks Handicap Hurdle.

Not that a similarly easy win is likely today. For one thing this is an ultra-competitive race and Try For Ever is not the most straightforward of rides.

Her ideal is to arrive late on the scene, having been covered up off a strong pace, and such conditions don't always apply, especially in a race like this where Try For Ever is not the only fast finisher.

Others who relish being brought with a late run include Tidjani, Penny Native, She's Our Mare and Honey Trader, but there is a depth to the race that suggests there will be at least a decent pace at the front.

Given that, Try For Ever has the valuable assistance on her back of Paul Carberry, whose late shows on free-travelling horses have paid off spectacularly in the past. Don't expect to see Try For Ever until late but expect her to be in front when it counts.

Foxchapel King was a top novice hurdler last term and makes a jumping debut in the Beginners Chase against the likes of Inis Cara and Glin Castle. Foxchapel King was a point-to-point winner two winters ago and has always looked a chaser in the making.

Bootlegger has been slogging it out in long distance flat handicaps recently but goes over flights for the first time in the first division of the maiden hurdle. Charlie Swan has been looking forward to this debut for some time and Bootlegger is taken to beat Banjala, fourth to Storm Gem here on Monday.

Rossmill Native ran a decent race over a mile at Galway last time and the dual bumper winner can go in the second division, while the Fairyhouse bumper winner, Native Run, is expected to follow up in the last.

Aidan O'Brien's Unfuwain filly, Carmenta, figured among the entries for Ascot's Blue Seal Stakes at Ascot over the weekend but should find the company in the Harvest Maiden an easier proposition.

John Murtagh will ride Second Empire in Saturday's Queen Elizabeth II Stakes if Aidan O'Brien gives the colt the go-ahead to run. The Ballydoyle trainer will not decide until this morning if Second Empire runs. The Irish jump jockey John Shortt (34) has announced his retirement from riding.