Money doesn't just talk in racing, it shouts, but there will be a lot of sentiment willing Hill Society to win this afternoon's Power Gold Cup. Unfortunately, that goodwill may not be enough for the Arkle Trophy runner-up to succeed and the fresh and unexposed Fiddlers Tune looks the one to spoil the party.
Hill Society was a desperately unfortunate loser at Cheltenham. After looking cooked before the turn-in, Hill Society was galvanised into action up the hill by Richard Dunwoody, led a stride before the line, a stride after, too, but crucially not on the line.
Trainer Noel Meade endured an agonising wait before the verdict was given in Champleve's favour and also had to endure the pain of having come so close to a first festival winner. Today's £35,000 feature would be valuable compensation but Hill Society looks worth opposing.
For one thing, he had a very hard race at Cheltenham and it's impossible to know for sure how much that will affect him today. Another consideration is Meade's report that a week after Cheltenham, Hill Society was briefly off colour. At his best, Hill Society will win but will he be at his best?
One horse who has set the grapevine buzzing is Mulkev Prince, who beat Delphi Lodge, Tempo, Guest Performance and Magical Lady here in February. A quick-jumping front-runner, Mulkev Prince is sure to go close today but his style could mean that the two and a half miles will make him vulnerable in the closing stages.
Despite having had only the one run over fences, Fiddlers Tune looks the one to do it. A smart novice hurdler on good ground, Michael Cunningham's horse returned to easily win a Beginners' Chase at the big Navan track last month. He jumped well, galloped on resolutely on the soft ground and didn't have to use the speed his hurdles performances indicated.
Fiddlers Tune will have to use it today, but in Richard Dunwoody he has the ideal man to unleash it at the right time, and the pair are preferred to Mulkev Prince.
The Power may be the feature but the most valuable contest is the £50,000 Goffs Land Rover Bumper. Two horses travel from Britain for the truly bumper prize, the Ludlow winner, Commanche Law, and Lord Of The Flies, who won at Doncaster. Despite that, the prize can be kept at home courtesy of Sheena Collins' Biliverdin.
This four-year-old has only had the one race, but it was an effort full of promise at Gowran last month in running Cardinal Hill to a short head. Sure to strip straighter today, Biliverdin also has the assistance of Philip Fenton and, all told, he looks the solution.
It's a big day for the amateurs, with a hunters chase and another bumper. Wilbar at his best would be hard to beat in the O'Reilly Cup, but the Powers Gold Label Final could see a very smart unexposed youngster make a name for himself.
Supreme Citizen, a half brother to Lovely Citizen, has won his two-point-to-point races at Kilworth and Liscarroll very impressively and could be the next smart performer for Eugene O'Sullivan.
