Al looks the answer

EASILY the most interesting contest at Dundalk tonight is the Hanratty Oils Race, which will see two high-class timber-toppers, Harchibald and Al Eile, in action.

Noel Meade is using this as Harchibald’s preparatory spin for the Champion Hurdle at Cheltenham, for which he is currently fourth favourite at around 8-1.

It seems highly unlikely the nine-year-old will be totally fired up and, in any case, Harchibald is rated 12lbs and 11lbs below Kempes and Al Eile respectively.