Evanna McCutcheon© Photo Healy Racing
Evanna McCutcheon expects Miltown Girl to benefit greatly from her racecourse debut at Cork this evening.
The six-year-old mare has been slow to mature and is now only ready to step on to the track for the first time in the Great Value Social Package Maiden Hurdle over two miles.
"She was bred by her owner (Patrick O'Dea) and she'll come on for the run. She'll need the experience," said the County Tipperary trainer.
"She's been schooling OK, but she's a little bit immature. I know she's a six-year-old but she'll want the experience." Loveinasanddune is the other newcomer in the 10-strong line-up but there are plenty in there who have seen some action.
These include the Tom Mullins-trained Grand Partner and Norman Lee's Bashful Beauty
The past few NH seasons have been notable for their 'clash of codes' featuring champion trainers Aidan O'Brien and Willie Mullins and some extra competition is added on the card as the pair's respective children Sarah and Patrick do battle in an interesting August Bank Holiday Racing Bumper.
Four of the dozen runners have previous winning bumper form and while seven-times champion amateur Patrick Mullins rides Most Peculiar his mount has failed to win in two outings, finishing well held over hurdles latest.
Lesser experienced Sarah O'Brien, on the other hand, rides her father's Macbride, owned by JP McManus and coming off the back of a good win at Limerick in May, beating subsequent winner Mm Dazzler.
Also in the field are father-son team Kevin and son Philip O'Donnell with Gowran winner Dubh Eile while Jimmy and Jane Mangan are represented with Rock Lidge, well held on debut at Limerick.
Elsewhere on the card, the 20,000 euro Dermot Casey Tree Care Hurdle is the most valuable contest with the Mullins-trained Sweet My Lord bidding to bridge a losing spell stretching to Tramore in April 2013.
The 134-rated hurdler has competed at a fairly high level in recent times and will appreciate the drop in class. He might be able account for the Des McDonogh-trained and Jim Bolger-owned Star Power a maiden hurdle winner at Gowran last time out.
The Gigginstown House Stud-owned Easter Hunt has been expensive to follow but might prove the solution to the opening Follow Us On Twitter Maiden Hurdle, now that he steps up to three miles for the first time.
