Dorans River, right© Photo Healy Racing
Dorans River Robin Des Foret and Cook Islands renew rivalries in the feature at Roscommon this evening, the Connolly's Red Mills Rated Novice Hurdle.
The Gordon Elliott-trained former beat Robin Des Foret into second when they clashed over the course and distance last month, while Cook Islands was a close third.
There is likely to be little between the trio again here, with Robin Des Foret rated 1lb higher than his two aforementioned opponents. Oakly sprang a 33-1 surprise when winning on his racecourse debut over the course and distance last month and it will be interesting to see how he fares.
Other recent winners in the line-up are Product Of Love Triolet Venezia and Clara Sorrento
Fifteen have been declared for the Leo Dolan Memorial Handicap Hurdle, with Amaulino an interesting contender for Colin Bowe.
The French-bred gelding was a good second to the smart Coquin Mans at Wexford last time out, and makes his debut in handicap company now.
Four-time winner Cloudy Morning reverts back to timber for this three-mile contest and should give a good account of himself, while other leading hopes are course-and-distance winner King Blue and top-weight Hunters Call
Katie Walsh will be aboard King Blue, and she looks to have strong claims on newcomer Vittorio in the concluding Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares (Ladies Pro/Am) Flat Race.
Willie Mullins trains the daughter of Milan, who won't have to be a star to claim this two-mile contest.
Mullins is represented by West Burma in the other bumper on the programme, the roscommonracecourse.ie Flat Race.
This six-year-old was second on debut at Ballinrobe last July and he can be expected to go close here with Patrick Mullins in the saddle. High School Days should prove hard to beat in the opening Athleague Mares Maiden Hurdle, while the hat-trick seeking Bective Cave is sure to have plenty of supporters in the Larry O'Farrelly Memorial Handicap Hurdle.
The Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle looks an open affair, with Tommy Welsh Bosco Di Alco Perishing Missile and Malpensa a few for the shortlist.
