Ireland today

there is flat racing on the all-weather track at Dundalk this afternoon and a jumps meeting this evening at Tramore. Most interesting runner at the latter track is surely Royal Approval (John McConnell/ S.J. Hassett), who has already won this week both on the flat and over fences and now runs in a hurdle race at 18.50 CET. In theory he should not beat The Spoonplayer (Harry de Bromhead/ Ruby Walsh), who is much higher rated, but he is clearly in great form and relishes the current soft going. German-bred Silex (Edward O´Grady/ Andrew McNamara) has good prospects in a very open handicap hurdle half an hour later. At Dundalk, David Wachman and Johnny Murtagh could be the team to follow. They have four chances, including top-eight Contest in the main event, a valuable 6 furlongs handicap at 17.10, and can also take the opening conditions race at 15.25 with The Emperor Nero, the race for 2yo maiden fillies at 16.00 with Marquesa and possibly the 2yo maiden, also over 7 furlogs at 16.35 with the well-bred newcomer Love Day Street.