TOM TAAFFE’S Smoking Aces is the nap choice to land the Clonoulty Hurdle at Thurles this afternoon.

GLENFINN Captain, successful in the race a year ago, can do the business again in the Grade 2 Clonmel Oil Chase at Clonmel this afternoon.

IF Punchestown today survives an 8am inspection then much of the focus will obviously centre on the second outing over jumps of the exciting Dunguib in the Ballymaloe Country Relish Hurdle.

CORK will hold an inspection at 7.30 on Sunday morning, ahead of it’s scheduled Grand National meeting that afternoon, but are optimistic racing will take place.

SHAREEN has plenty going for her in the Median Auction Maiden at Dundalk tonight and has to get the nap.

THERE IS no doubt this recession has started to bite hard as far as racing is concerned.

PAUL CARBERRY, never too far from controversy, has been banned for 30 race days for failing a breath test at Naas on October 31.

IF racing at Clonmel survives an 8am inspection this morning it may pay to follow Dessie Hughes, who can continue his terrific campaign by saddling Vic Venturi to land the featured Grade 2 Clonmel Oil Chase.

BATTLEOFTRAFALGAR can get off the mark at the fourth attempt in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Maiden at Dundalk tonight.

RIGOUR Back Bob, a promising fourth at Cork on his debut over flights, strolled to victory in the Adare Maiden Hurdle at Limerick yesterday.