Clonmel will be a hive of activity this week for the three-day greyhound coursing meeting which, of course runs from Monday through to Wednesday. On Thursday, the Powerstown Park venue will the venue for mid-week racing enthusiasts and the first of a planned seven-race card is scheduled to get under way at 1.35pm.
The featured event is the Surehaul Mercedes Novice Hurdle, a listed race over two miles six furlongs and it should pay to row in behind Oscar Dan Dan.
The Tom Mullins-trained Oscar Dan Dan has been mixing it with extremely good company in recent times and on his most recent foray, the son of Oscar stayed on to purposeful effect to finish third behind Roberto Goldback in a two and a half mile Grade 2 novice hurdle at Leopardstown on Irish Champion Hurdle day – January 25th.
Whilst Oscar Dan Dan was ultimately beaten some 13 lengths into third place on that occasion, the extra two furlongs of this particular race will suit ideally and the seven-year-old is therefore likely to possess too many aces for Caim Hill.
Hurricane Carter stands out in the Kilcash Chase over two and a half miles. This Thomas O’Leary-trained nine-year-old quite simply destroyed the opposition by making all the running to beat a 120-rated opponent in Tasman by seven lengths with Davy Russell in a novice chase over this same distance at last month’s Gowran Park ‘Thyestes’ fixture.
In truth, this event doesn’t reflect a step up in class and Hurricane Caryer should continue on his merry way at the expense of Financial Reward, an entire horse (colt) by Annshoon Stud stallion Fruits Of Love.
The Fethard Maiden Hunters Chase has a hugely competitive appearance and An Siorrac should announce his arrival as a seriously-talented racehorse by returning to the coveted number one slot in this two and a half mile contest.
Enda Bolger’s An Siorrac created a hugely favourable impression by winning his only two point-to-point starts at Dromahane in north Co Cork late last year. In short, An Siorrac has an abundance of speed, especially on soft ground, and he’s likely to beat confirmed frontrunner Tom The Traveller here.
Denis Murphy’s Supreme Plan, a former point-to-point winner, could spring a mild surprise by upstaging Carrigmoorna Storm in the Fethard Maiden Hurdle and Porto Calero should prove capable of dispensing with Earth Mother in the Kilsheelan Mares Novice Hurdle.
Arkmore Radar and Loughwell Star are a likely pair in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle. The Robert Tyner-trained Pay The Bounty meanwhile is likely to give a positive account of himself in the Clogheen INH Flat Race, an event that’s also likely to concern Supreme All Star.