Keep faith in Island Pride

ONCE again Thurles comes to the aid of the game this afternoon by dividing a race, thus housing eight contests.

The emphasis, however, is on quantity rather than any pretensions to quality and it's a programme, at least most of it, which is guaranteed to test the skills of punters.

In-form Island Pride is the nap choice in the Rock Of Cashel Handicap Chase. The nine-year-old has paid the penalty for repeatedly beating the handicapper, but showed at Fairyhouse on Saturday he remains competitive off his current mark.