Dirar can deliver off attractive mark in Hurdle
He is trained by a man, Gordon Elliott, who can do little wrong and the five-year-old has a very progressive profile.
The selection warmed up with a victory on the flat at Ayr last month and that should have left him cherry-ripe for this test.
It was his previous success, however, which indicated Dirar may be capable of landing a major prize.
At Listowel, returning from a long break, he cruised to victory from the 29lbs receiving Banna Man.
The handicapper was impressed as well, raising Dirar by 10lbs, but he still gets in off what looks an attractive 10-4.
On a programme which could hardly be less punter-friendly, Cooper’s Crest is the nap choice in the Signature Novice Hurdle.
She was long odds-on in a moderate race at Limerick a week ago and duly obliged. It failed to reveal anything we didn’t already know, but it was her performance before that, at Tipperary, which pointed the way to her being good enough now.
Cooper’s Crest was third to Bahrain Storm and Cuan Na Grai and that was a particularly smart effort.
Dermot Weld’s Force Of Habit gets the vote in the Arthur’s Legacy Handicap. On his latest appearance on the flat, he won at Fairyhouse and now runs off a mark 7lbs higher.
But he again impressed with his attitude when beating Hail Caesar over flights here on Monday night and the hill will hold no fears for him.
Bronte Bay, who hinted at a return to his best when beaten by Ah Ya Boy Ya at Kilbeggan, might be the answer to the Perfect Pint Beginners Chase.
