With the emphasis apparently on value in tomorrow's Pierse Hurdle, racing's lack of hard and fast punting rules can be witnessed this afternoon at Navan, where there appear to be at least two short-priced favourites who almost shout to be backed.
The first of them is in the first race, where Regal Venture should be short odds to make it third time lucky in the maiden hurdle; but for many the most interest will be in the Stallion Owners Novice Hurdle.
Two and three-quarter miles on soft ground at Navan places its own demands, but Macs Gildoran might just be well above average and there will be some disappointment if he doesn't start proving that today.
Willie Mullins clearly believes he has something out of the ordinary on his hands because, even after a shock debut defeat at Thurles, Macs Gildoran was still widely expected to make amends at Leopardstown and he did so in some style.
There were 25 lengths back to Cotton Picker, with Happy Lad in third, and no evidence whatsoever of the winner weakening. Mullins emphasised the good impression by announcing an immediate switch to hurdles and admitting he has Cheltenham in his sights for the horse.
As report cards for a young horse go, it doesn't get much more glowing, and although he has to concede experience, Macs Gildoran can justify all his trainer's expectations.
As if those two weren't enough, there are those who will tell you the short-priced good things won't stop winning there.
Nomadic was beaten just five lengths into fourth behind Grimes off a 145 mark in the Shell Champion Hurdle at Punchestown last May and there are encouraging reports about how the classy grey has taken to fences ahead of today's EBF Beginners Chase. Macs Gildoran's partner, Ruby Walsh, will be in the favourite hot seat again and certainly the season's leading rider has an enviable book of rides lined up.
Quadco holds a clear chance in the Navan Novice Hurdle and will be trying to give the Ned Kelly Leopardstown form a boost. It's worth betting that, in general, that form is very good, but on this occasion preference is for Glens Music over the progressive What A Native.
The most valuable pot of the day, the £25,000 Proudstown Handicap Hurdle, has cut up rather badly and maybe the topweight Carmelite could be the one to snag the lion's share of the money. Jessica Harrington's runner will at least have no problems with the ground and could just have a little too much class for the opposition.
Clady Boy is taken to land the handicap chase for the second year running; and Brackney Boy gets useful chunks of weight from some useful opposition in the bumper.
A final decision on how betting is taxed in Britain will not be announced until the March Budget, although a newspaper report yesterday claimed that details of a new deal would include the abolition of deductions from punters.
