A newly laid track extension gets its premiere at Tramore this evening when the feature of the seven-race card is the £10,000 Bank Of Ireland Handicap Chase.
Topping the weights in this is the prolific English-trained runner, Stately Home, but the answer to this two miles and six furlong contest looks to be Riszard.
Tramore's notorious cambers have been altered and in the process an extra furlong has been added to the track. The track should now be easier for the jockeys and the theme of extra distance also looks to be favourable for the nap.
Riszard and Jason Maguire look to have had an ideal run-up to this race and the summer campaign. An eyecatching third to Strong Hicks at Killarney was followed by an impressive length and a half defeat of Persian Life - a winner at Wexford on Friday - at Roscommon.
That was over two miles but this distance should be in Riszard's favour as will the ground. Last year's Galway Plate winner, Stroll Home, could be one to set a good pace but a repeat bid on the Plate is likely to be his number one objective, a comment that could also apply to Norman Williamson's mount, Stately Home, so Treble Bob is proposed for the forecast with Riszard.
Maguire can use his claim to also figure at the business end of the Downes Handicap Hurdle. He rides Fidalus, a bumper winner at Cork last month, for Harry de Bromhead, and in a not particularly inspiring race, Fidalus can get the better of Lough Suedy.
No trainer will be keener for winners than the new addition to the ranks, Frances Crowley, and while Pondernot is no superstar, the restricted opening maiden hurdle is no super race and Pondernot should at least be capable of making the frame.
The following maiden is a much better contest, with the likes of Doc Morrissey and Fridolin involved, but if Cochis Run reproduces some of his best hurdling form of last winter, Pat Flynn's charge looks the one to be on.
The newcomer, Despondent, a daughter of Broken Hearted, can't be showing much at John Oxx's yard if she is making her debut in the nine-furlong maiden here, and preference is for Michael Grassick's Dabtara, third to Candareli at Roscommon last time; while Cheeky Harry can be the one for jackpot punters in the 14 furlong handicap.
