Ireland today

Much better racing today in Ireland, where both Cork and Navan stage valuable graded races, 3 at the former track and 2 at Navan. However the racing at the latter is arguably better, and it could prove significant that Willie Mullins, who has fancied runners at both fixtures, has booked Ruby Walsh for his runners here. They can begin on a winning note when Cousin Vinny, one of the best novice hurdlers last season, makes his chasing debut at 13.20 CET. Their candidate in the Grade Two Tara Hurdle at 13.50, the very consistent Scotsirish, also has a chance, but Donnas Palm (Noel Meade/ Barry Geraghty), winner of both starts this season, is the clear form choice. Th best event is the Grade One Kelly Memorial Novice Hurdle over 2 1/2 miles at 14.20. Only 4 runners here, but all easy last-time-out winners. Three of them are moving up sharply in grade, including Mullins´ Rhyl Accord, so The Hurl (Mouse Morris/ Niall Madden), who won a Grade Two over this CD last time, is the select ion. Walsh also has good chances on Mullins´ Truxton King in the hurdle race at 14.50 and on his father´s Southern Vic, who has top weight in the handicap chase an hour later. The latter is presumably being trained for the Grand National, in which he finished 8th last season, but should still be able to account for today´s opposition.

At Cork, Mullins saddles two in the Grade Three novice húrdle at 14.00, Quel Esprit (Paul Townend) and Arbor Supreme (Emmett Mullins) and could well take the first two places. However his runner in the Hilly Way Chase (Grade Two) at 14.30, Golden Silver (Townend), faces a stiff task against Carthalawn (Charlie Byrnes/ David Casey) and old-timer Watson Lake (Noel Meade/ Davy Condon). The Grade Three novice chase for mares at 15.00 should go to Hello Kitty (Leonard Whitmore/ Sean Flanagan).