Rely on Rawnaq

Tramore was passed fit to race yesterday afternoon, but there will be another inspection at 8am this morning to determine whether the four-day festival can finally begin tonight.

If the lights are green then Rawnaq can give trainer, Robbie Hennessy, a welcome turn in the Ernst And Young Rated Race over a mile and six.

The son of the top-class Azamour hadn’t shown much, until turning in two decent enough efforts of late.

At Kilbeggan six days ago, he finished second to Key Account in a handicap hurdle, but of more significance was his performance on the flat at Galway previously. Going off the 25-1 outsider of a 12-strong field, he ran a cracker to be beaten a neck into second by Grand Opera.

The form is undoubtedly ordinary, but this is also a weak heat and the fact Rawnaq handled testing conditions with aplomb on that occasion augurs well for his prospects now.

Declan McDonogh partners Rawnaq and can complete a double aboard Knockcroghery in the Brennan’s Pharmacy Handicap.

This mare has been performing with plenty of consistency of late, running another solid race when runner-up behind the ultra-smart Shadow Eile over flights at Galway.