Stick with Smoking Aces

THE tough Smoking Aces can land the Come On Ireland Novice Hurdle at Gowran Park this afternoon.

A slightly unlucky second at Leopardstown at Christmas, he made up for that with a gutsy display at Naas last month. Paddy Flood was seen at his strongest, driving his charge to beat Puyol a head, after Smoking Aces had fluffed his lines at the final flight.

In a good little race, Otay Kawn is rated the main danger. Beaten four lengths by Realt Dubh at Punchestown, he would have been a lot closer, but for getting it all wrong at the last.