tramore 14th Apr

Champion trainer Willie Mullins may have bigger fish to fry at Aintree this weekend, but he will have one eye on Tramore as Passage Vendome returns to action in the www.tramore-racecourse.com Maiden Hurdle.

The French-bred six-year-old proved very disappointing on his first couple of appearances, but everything clicked into place when sent to this venue to land a bumper last August, and he should be seen in an even better light now he tackles obstacles.

Gordon Elliott, who saddles Chicago Grey and Tharawaat in the Grand National, relies on Musawama in the Lisaleen Schooling Grounds Maiden Hurdle, which kicks off proceedings closer to home at 1.50.

The son of Azamour wasn't beaten that far when fancied for a Limerick event at the beginning of this month, and this doesn't look as competitive.

The most valuable race on the card is the Follow Tramore On Facebook Handicap Chase, in which Grandeur Cappy strives to prove his recent Clonmel second at 50-1 on his handicap debut was no fluke, off a 4lb higher rating.

Cerca Trova took third spot at the same meeting and will be on plenty of shortlists for the Graun Hill Suite Handicap Hurdle, although Tough Mark was expected to perform much better than he did at Down Royal last month and can't be written off just yet.

Volkis O'Blue scored on his only previous visit to this circuit and has the consistent Up The Girls to beat in the Tramore Racecourse Members Club Handicap Hurdle.

Last year's winner Annacarton takes on Downpatrick victor Supreme Doc, as well as a host of point-to-point winners, in the Tramore Centenary Year Hunters Chase, while Civena has also tasted success between the flags but will need to put three ordinary performances under Rules behind her in the concluding W & T Directors Mares (Pro-Am) INH Flat Race.