DOWNPATRICK today is subject to a 7.30am inspection, due to the threat of frost, and if the meeting does go west we certainly won’t be losing any sleep.

YOU’D imagine the December Festival Hurdle at Leopardstown at Christmas is going to have a major bearing on the way the market will shape up for the Champion Hurdle heading into the New Year.

EDWARD O’GRADY and Andrew McNamara continued their terrific run when Diophas justified hefty market support with a smooth success in the Dromahane Maiden Hurdle at Cork yesterday.

SMOKING ACES is the nap choice in the fairyhouseracecourse.ie Rated Hurdle at the Co. Meath track this afternoon.

THE KINGS SWORD, trained by former Kilkenny hurler, Kieran Purcell, can land the nap in the 20-runner Christmas Vouchers Maiden Hurdle at Gowran Park this afternoon.

WILLIE MULLINS’ Cadspeed can get off the mark at the third time of asking over flights in the Christmas Party Maiden Hurdle at Fairyhouse this afternoon.

I’D imagine Tom Cooper returned from Sandown last Saturday a reasonably happy man.

QUINOLA Des Obeaux is the nap choice to land the Kilberry Novice Hurdle at Navan this afternoon.

HARRY FINDLAY says Denman will win the Cheltenham Gold Cup ‘pulling a cart.’

THERE is every possibility the colourful Oliver Brady will light up the rescheduled Naas meeting this afternoon, should racing get the go-ahead, following a 7.30am inspection.