Clonmel preview

Clonmel has already played host to a major sporting event this week in the shape of the annual national coursing fixture, and as has become traditional the equine contingent now follows their canine counterparts to Powerstown Park.

Glencove Marina is without question the star turn on a seven-race programme, Willie Mullins’ injury-plagued eight year-old facing seven rivals in the Kilcash Chase. The Spectrum gelding indicated that he at least retains a good portion of his pre-layoff ability when third to Footy Facts over hurdles at Punchestown on New Year’s Eve and with improvement likely may get the better of Thyestes hero Whinstone Boy.

The exciting For Bill is unbeaten in four starts under rules, and her enthusiastic octegenarian owner Donie Sheahan will be hopeful of his pride and joy maintaining that sequence in the mares novice hurdle. She had Mullins’ representative Killultagh Queen some way adrift when scoring at Navan before Christmas, but the latter is better judged on her subsequent victory at Limerick and it should be closer today.

Two other old rivals, Glenstal Abbey and Quito De La Roque, lock horns once again in the featured 2m6f novice hurdle. The first-named had the edge when they clashed at Navan, but Colm Murphy’s French-bred was making his debut under rules there and might be the better suited by this longer trip. His stable is in great form right now.

Categories: Horse racing