Sweet Kiln can overcome a long absence
She hasn’t been seen on the flat since finishing fourth of 30 behind Back In Front at Navan in October of 2004, 1,430 days ago, but a huge amount of water has flowed under the bridge in the meantime.
Michael Bowe’s nine-year-old has developed into one of the best staying hurdlers in the country and, with fitness never a worry with this yard, gets the vote, before returning to her true vocation.
Michael Grassick’s charges have been showing a welcome return to form in recent weeks and his Princess Nicole is the nap choice in the Madra Dog Foods Handicap.
Sher produced, arguably, the performance of her life in the Ulster Cesarewitch at Down Royal last month and will prove hard to beat, if stripping in similar shape.
On that occasion, Princess Nicole only gave best to the smart Green Mile close home, going under by a neck.
The selection went up 7lbs, but that doesn’t appear overly harsh, considering it was another six lengths back to the third.
At Cork, John Coleman’s Un Hinged can land the Navigation Road Rated Race. The polished Gary Carroll renews acquaintances with the eight-year-old, having guided him to a smooth success in a Curragh handicap.
The form of Dermot Weld’s inmates continues to be a cause for concern, but, hopefully, they may turn the corner here.
His Scarlet O’Hara, runner-up behind Rock Exhibition on her debut at the Curragh, looks best in the moderate Newmarket Maiden.
Weld’s Vital Plot seems to have been rejuvenated by hurdles, he’s won his last two in fine style, and can complete the hat-trick in the second division of the Dromahane Handicap.
