Diophas set to deliver

EDWARD O’GRADY, currently lying third in the trainers’ championship, behind Willie Mullins and Noel Meade, can consolidate his position by landing a double at Cork this afternoon.

O’Grady’s Diophas is the nap choice in the opening Dromahane Maiden Hurdle.

The last occasion he ran over flights was at Leopardstown at Christmas when beaten a length into second by Ross Accord in a 30-runner handicap.

The selection has obviously had his problems in the meantime and wasn’t seen again until reappearing over fences at Clonmel in late October.

The six-year-old finished third behind 20-1 shot Ransom, noted doing his best work in the closing stages.

Andrew McNamara partners Diophas and he and O’Grady can complete a double with Acapulco in the Fermoy Maiden Hurdle. A winner on the flat for Aidan O’Brien, he finished ninth behind Authorized in the Epsom Derby of 2007.

The Galileo gelding has had one outing for O’Grady, producing a promising effort when runner-up behind Sorceror at Punchestown back in February.

That was a contest which produced several subsequent winners and Acapulco’s long absence isn’t a major worry, the way O’Grady’s inmates are performing right now.

Willie Mullins’ Morning Supreme, easy winner of a maiden at Limerick, is arguably the best horse in the Newmarket Mares’ Novice Hurdle.

But her jumping left a lot to be desired at Limerick and preference is for Grancore Girl, who hasn’t been seen since finishing down the field behind Oligarch Society at Gowran Park over a year ago.

She was a particularly smart sort in bumpers and, if the market speaks in her favour, Grancore Girl could make it hot for the likely favourite.

Mullins’ Perfectly Composed, not seen since going under by a neck to Asigh Pearl at Punchestown last December, is the one to beat in the Bumper.