ONLY five are set to face the starter in the 2000 Guineas Trial Stakes at Leopardstown this afternoon, but they can all be given a life of sorts.

Merdeka faces the acid test as he steps up to Grade Two company for the first time in Sunday’s Woodlands Park 100 Slaney Novice Hurdle at Naas.

TRAINER, Pat Hughes, lashed out at an on-course bookmaker after his newcomer, Farmer Brown, had landed a gamble in the Kevin McManus Champion Bumper at Limerick yesterday.

JOHNNY EGAN made a successful first visit to Cork Racecourse yesterday when guiding Slip Dance to a smooth victory in the Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Fillies Race.