Casco can click
The Mick Butler-trained five-year-old has already won his maiden hurdle, at Kilbeggan back in June, when he beat Fabled and subsequent winner Woodland Traveller only to lose the race subsequently in a ‘prohibited substance’ enquiry.
Casco Bay went on to finish fifth to Dawn Valentino over this course and distance before chasing home Quidem Meus at Ballinrobe last time.
The Ballinrobe form has been franked by runner-up Renewed Challenge, a winner at Sligo last week, while third-placed Sandymount Lady finished a creditable third to the high-class Sweeps Hill at Tipperary on Tuesday.
Casco Bay is clearly no world-beater but has been found a good opportunity here.
Although off the track since May, Captive Audience, a half-brother to Nick Dundee, should prove difficult in the Liusselan Flat Race, confined to lady riders.
A son of Saddler’s Hall, he made a pleasing debut at Gowran Park, when fifth to Enterprise Park. He then chased home Call The Police at Clonmel, with Willie Mullins’ Definitive Edge (a subsequent bumper winner and successful twice over hurdles) back in third.
Trained by David Mysercough, not renowned for campaigning bumper horses, Captive Audience makes plenty of appeal and, the mount of Katie Walsh, is preferred to Mr Clyde.
Second to For A Finish at Clonmel last time and with in-form Nina Carberry in the saddle, Mr Clyde has a definite chance, but might not cope with the selection.
Not even Tony McCoy’s strong handling got Daytime Dreamer home in front at Perth last time.
But Conor O’Dwyer’s charge, successful over a mile and a half at Dundalk in August, still has solid claims in the concluding Graun Hill Handicap Hurdle.
In the flat action, the 76-rated High Queen, beaten in handicap company at Listowel, should go close in the Guillamene Maiden, if reproducing her earlier second to Chirkova at Killarney.
