Houlihan’s Mafuma can cash in

The early yards are absolutely crucial in tonight’s final of the Macroom Motor Services Stake and favourite Cashen Mafuma will need to be on his toes to avoid trouble if North Bound repeats his antics of the semi-finals.

The latter has been desperately unfortunate to draw the inside trap on consecutive occasions and it’s arguable that he was only beaten last week because of the ground forfeited moving right across the track on the run-up.

He has the raw speed to win tonight’s final but it’s difficult to concede ground so cheaply and beat a classy field such as he faces here.