Rattan looks poised to get off the mark

PAUL TOWNEND can make a winning return on Rattan in the opening Western People Maiden Hurdle at Ballinrobe this evening.

The six-year-old English import has been showing steady improvement over flights, producing probably his best effort to date at Clonmel on his latest appearance.

He was beaten five lengths into second spot by Datokepe and that was a smart enough effort, in the context of this test.