Dermot Weld looks to have a number of strong contenders again this evening as he bids to improve on his own record haul of 11 winners already at the Festival this week.
The Rosewell House maestro saddles Rainforest Magic in the opening amateur riders handicap hurdle (5.10pm), and the Montjeu gelding is a solid 7/4 favourite to follow up a Flat success earlier this week. Along Came Casey is developing into a very short-priced favourite for the extended mile handicap (8.00), with early offers of 7/4 with Paddy Power and Boylesports well gone. She is now just 11/8 with both firms.
Weld also has a short-priced favourite in the concluding 1m6f conditions race where Address Unknown is a top-priced 10/11 with Victor Chandler. However some opposition is developing with support for John Bleahen's Fleur De Nuit – 7/2 into 11/4 with Powers and 7/2-5/2 with Boylesports.
There are a number of early non-runners with the Kevin Prendergast-trained Catamount a significant one in the juvenile auction maiden. Mr Bones is also out of the “Galway Blazers” (6.15pm), while Cnocandancer and Mountain Pride do not run in the featured Guinness Premier Handicap (6.50pm). Top-weight Good Shot Noreen is also out of the 8.00.
Alan Magee
