Akshar set to strike
He's a horse who has had his share of trainers and could never be described as the most reliable of sorts.
He does, however, have plenty of ability and should be ready to strike, having had a run at Thurles just five days ago.
Returning from a break on that occasion, the selection was friendless in the market, but performed well enough.
The contest was won by Native Churchtown and Akshar was in contention, but just about feeling the pinch, when falling at the second last.
The eight-year-old should be all the better for that much needed outing and with Ruby Walsh now taking over in the plate and two furlongs less to travel, has to be the choice.
The Shane Donohoe trained Nuvelli is the one to be on in the opening Herronville Maiden Hurdle.
The former pointer was given two spins over flights, before getting off the mark in a Navan bumper.
He stretched right away in the closing stages of that contest to score unextended by 15 lengths. It was a very moderate race, with several of those behind having been well beaten in the meantime, but Nuvelli is a relentless galloper and this is another poor affair.
Charlie Swan's House Of Bourbon could emerge as a live danger. His jumps form is ordinary, but he was a useful sort on the level for John Oxx last season and the more the ground dries out the better his prospects.
The rather frustrating Noel Meade trained Model Athlete is given a final chance in the Bennettsbridge Maiden Hurdle.
He was very disappointing when fourth to Bad Day Bad Day on this track in February, but the Thurles bumper winner you would hope is more talented than he looked on that occasion!
