The prospects for racing at Fairyhouse and Tramore tomorrow look bright, with neither track planning inspections at the moment.
The Fairyhouse manager Roy Craigie said yesterday that there were no problems: "I see no reason why we won't be able to race." There was a similarly upbeat report from the Tramore manager Michael Murphy, who said the course had dried out well yesterday. "We have no plans to inspect," he said. This will be good news for Paddy Mullins, who gives Noble Thyne his chasing debut in the Beginners Chase at Fairyhouse.
Noble Thyne and Pridwell hold the distinction of being the only horses to beat the champion hurdler Istabraq. Noble Thyne achieved the feat on Istabraq's debut at Punchestown in 1996.
His best performance since was to finish third to Istabraq and His Song in last season's Irish Champion Hurdle and he clearly remains a horse of some talent. He has not, however, run since February and his fitness and jumping have to be taken on trust going into tomorrow's race. That is not the case with Coq Hardi Venture, who boasts a short-head second to Super Dealer at Punchestown earlier this month and the Noel Meade-trained runner can make his fitness advantage tell.
Conor O'Dwyer is anxious to make up for lost time after his lengthy suspension and looks to have the goods to do just that in the opener with Digin For Gold, fifth to Kamactay over this course and distance a month and a type who looks sure to improve.
The nap however goes to Speed Board in the long distance handicap hurdle. This will be a searching stamina test in these conditions and Speed Board has proved he can slog it out with the best of them, especially when winning here over three miles last May.
Stamina will also be at a premium in the handicap chase where the lightly-weighted Inniscein is taken to maintain Ruby Walsh's lead at the top of the jockeys' table. Old Trafford, runner-up to Roses Or Picardy last time out, can go one better in the Hangover Maiden Hurdle and Three Kings can be another winner for Meade in the bumper.
Tramore has a very competitive seven-race fixture to bring in the New Year with the feature being the T J Carroll Chase. This looks to afford the novice Inis Cara a good opportunity to atone for his second-fence fall at Leopardstown on Monday. He will have to cope with the experienced Arctic Weather and Palette but on heavy ground his stamina will come into play and probably swing it his way.
Paul Hourigan can also score on Ted Walsh's Crystal Hills in the opener while those chasing the jackpot, which has a carryover of £2,259, would do well to include the veteran Corymandel in the opportunity handicap chase.
Kieran Gaule will be aboard the in-form Blackburn in the Beginners Chase and this one is just preferred to How Ran On. Blackburn's stable companion Saltmills Rambler should also go close in the bumper.
