Captain connections confident of good Clonmel run

Connections of Glenfinn Captain are optimistic of a good run from last year’s winner in the rescheduled Clonmel Oil Chase tomorrow.

Testing conditions at the Co Tipperary track are unlikely to faze Tom Taaffe’s charge.

The going was heavy when the gelding took the two-and-a-half-mile Grade Two feature 12 months ago and heavy rain put paid to its original date last Thursday.

“He won’t mind the ground and we’d be hopeful of a good run,” said Frank Berry, racing manager to owner J P McManus.

“He’s very well and he goes there with a fair chance.”

Noel Meade's veteran Watson Lake was third behind the talented Big Zeb on his latest outing at Navan and the trainer feels this step back up to two and a half miles will suit.

“He ran well the last day but if anything if he was maybe just a little bit lackadaisical and this step back up in trip should help him,” said Meade.

“He is getting on a bit but we thought we’d let him take his chance as the race has cut up and he likes this soft ground.

“He has always been a favourite of mine, so it would be great if he could go and win one of these races.

“There isn’t a lot between any of the runners so I think whichever turns up best on the day could win it.”

Six runners go to post for the Grade Two contest with the former Paul Nicholls inmate Gungadu having his first start for Gordon Elliott.

Conna Castle, One Cool Cookie and The Fonze complete the line-up.