Wright napped

If Conor O'Dwyer's recent winning patch was any more purple, it could appear on the cover of a Prince album, and it will be no…

If Conor O'Dwyer's recent winning patch was any more purple, it could appear on the cover of a Prince album, and it will be no surprise if he hits the 51-mark for the season on Well Ridden at Thurles today.

The selection's name could apply to most of O'Dwyer's mounts in recent weeks as he and Arthur Moore have carved up the scene. The partnership is well represented in other races today as O'Dwyer attempts to cement his position as a genuine candidate for the jockeys' title, but Well Ridden looks the main weapon in the novice hurdle.

The highlight of O'Dwyer's year so far has probably been the emergence of the exciting Youlneverwalkalone and that horse's Cheltenham credentials can be advertised by Well Ridden, who was just eight lengths off Christy Roche's horse at Leopardstown earlier in the month.

That came off an easy 15-lengths defeat of the decent Doon Run at Navan, and considering the likes of Darialann, Champagne Native and Aldino were well behind him at Leopardstown, it will be a surprise if the Moore horse isn't good enough.

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Moore and O'Dwyer team up also for Regency Rake in the novice chase, but this one seems to have got into the habit of being placed and the course and distance winner, Storm Ten, could be a better option.

One trainer that can be on the double is Edward O'Grady. The Clonmel bumper winner, Wright, has had two runs over the minimum trip since, including a reasonable fifth to The Gatherer at Punchestown, but should now be suited by the extra six furlongs in the first division of the amateur maiden hurdle.

Wright's stable companion Gill's Honey can get off the mark over fences in the mares beginners chase, which despite the presence of the dual Fairyhouse scorer, Banreme, doesn't look anywhere near as good a race as the one that Saxophone won last month, with Gill's Honey right in contention to the last.

Dawn Vision was a hampered fourth to Altitude handicap last time but before that was an easy winner at Tramore, and off a light weight should go close in the long-distance handicap hurdle.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column