Fenton has a nice team for Cork

Trainer Philip Fenton believes Band Of Blood is capable of winning a nice prize this season ahead of his assignment at Cork on Sunday.

The five-year-old gelding has claimed victory in two of his last three races but faces a step up in class for the corkracecourse.ie Handicap Hurdle.

Fenton feels the better ground at Cork will suit him far better than the testing conditions on which he managed to win at Galway in October.

"He did it very well in Galway, but it was probably a weak race," said Fenton.

"He has to prove it again now, I'm sure conditions will suit better in Cork than they did at Galway. It was very heavy in Galway. The nicer ground will be a big asset to him.

"It's a nice-looking race. There are a couple of well-handicapped horses in it, but hopefully he is capable of winning one of these races."

Questions Answered aims to secure his third win within a week, while Willie Mullins saddles Viconte Du Noyer.

Fenton has several other chances on an interesting card, including Limerick bumper scorer Voluptueux, who runs in the www.racinghomeforeaster.com Maiden Hurdle.

The County Tipperary handler said: "He came out of his race the last day very well. He jumps well. We are hoping for a nice run out of him, and he will like the ground."

Voluptueux faces Aidan O'Brien's Shield, who ran in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham last season.

The Fenton-trained Real Steel, second in two bumpers last term, contests the INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle:

The trainer said: "We've done a bit of schooling with him. He is in good shape, and the ground will be lovely for a big horse like him."

Stablemate Desertmore Stream runs in the bumper after finishing second in a similar event last time.

Fenton said: "He was a little unlucky in Thurles and we are hoping that he can improve from the run."

Paul Nolan runs the hat-trick-seeking Dick Dundee in the Christmas Party Raceday December 8th Handicap Chase but the County Wexford handler feels Fosters Cross is the one to beat.

Nolan said: "He has definitely surprised us. We ran him on good ground, which we shouldn't have, and he was lucky to stay sound, and he is going now with plenty of juice in it.

"Strictly on paper, it would look very hard to beat Fosters Cross. He was only raised 1lb for being very close to Realt Dubh and Noble Prince, who are rated far superior to him.

"He gave them weight and only got beaten a couple of lengths, so, on the basis of that, it could be very hard to beat Fosters Cross."