Last Stand can get off the mark after two close calls

THE LAST STAND, who has hit the bar twice of late, can get off the mark in the Alliance Plc Handicap at Sligo this evening.

At Clonmel last month, Tony Mullins' charge was mugged on the line and beaten a short head by Boston Pilot. It was a similar story when The Last Stand returned to Clonmel a couple of weeks later. Again he was literally grabbed in the final stride and beaten a short head by Kylebeg Dancer.

The downside for the selection is that he has gone up 8lbs for those two near misses, but is an improving three-year-old who remains at the right end of a moderate event.