Richard Dunwoody makes his first appearance of the week at Tralee today and the combination of him and Corket in the £20,000 Denny Handicap Chase looks irresistible.
Corket went through something of a trough after his last success 18 months ago but is now back to his best. His third placing behind Amlah in the Galway Plate, with Eton Gale just behind him, was a return to the old accurate Corket instead of the hesitant and inconsistent jumper he had been for a period.
Always prominent, Corket led briefly after the third last in the Plate and there was no disgrace involved when Amlah and Lucky Town then burst clear. Eton Gale in contrast was nearest at the finish after running as far back as ninth three out.
Strictly speaking there is only half a length between them but two and a half miles around Tralee's comparatively tight track should suit the free running and flamboyant jumping Corket better. Most of the others are either out of the handicap or out of peak form and with Dunwoody on board, Corket can dominate.
The other highlight is the Denny Havasnack which always throws up a decent winner. There may be only five runners this time but it's tricky to unravel. Mumaris is improving fast while Khairabar has easily the best flat rating. Khairabar has flattered in the past before, however, and slight preference is for Try For Ever who at his best has a handy finishing kick.
Dermot Weld and Michael Kinane have had a comparatively low key Tralee so far but that could all change this afternoon.
The grey Abaco has to hump top weight around the mile of the Kerryman-Australian Jockey Club Handicap but he has earned every pound in his career and it's best to ignore his last run. That was at Leopardstown on Sunday when Pat Shanahan could never secrue a run for Abaco and eased him up when the others, headed by Markskeepingfaith, had flown.
The Nureyev filly Harda Arda is no star but there are no other stars in the Naughton Handicap and off 9st she has her chance. The nap, however, goes to Weld and Kinane's representative in the concluding maiden.
Titus started favourite for a maiden at the Curragh in April but being a Theatrical colt, it was no shock to see him struggle on the very soft going. Clearly useful, Titus should be happier on this surface and is taken to beat Antrim Coast.
