Hallahan has faith in Gem Mary Louise Hallahan is hoping Malt Gem can strike again at Cork tomorrow when he lines up in a competitive-looking UCC Horse Racing Society Handicap Hurdle. The six-year-old registered his sole career success over course and distance last April and the Macroom handler feels he has conditions in his favour now as he bids for a repeat. Malt Gem went down to Hazariban over two and a half miles at Gowran Park last month, but Hallahan is hopeful he can reverse form with that rival over a more suitable track and distance. "He's a course-and-distance winner and he's in great form. If everything goes well he should go very close," said Hallahan. "He also has the champion jockey (Davy Russell) on board. We're hoping for a good run and he has a nice weight on his back. "I just felt he had been giving away an awful lot of weight in his races but he's slightly better off this time. "I think the track will suit him a lot better as well as the three miles. It might just suit us a bit better (than Hazariban), hopefully." Hazariban has finished runner-up at Naas since the pair met at Gowran and now faces his rival on 5lb worse terms having gone up again for his last run. Seamus Fahey is confident the trip should not be an issue for his charge, whose both wins over hurdles have come over two and a half miles. "He's been in good form since the last day," said Fahey. "He's up a few pounds since but he'll like the ground. I don't think the three miles is a problem - I'm pretty confident he stays. "It's a competitive race but we're quite happy with where we are at and we're hoping for a big run." Gold Patrol looks a leading contender after a big run to chase home Mikael D'Haguenet at Thurles. Colin Bowe's charge will have to carry 4lb extra in future handicaps after a rise for last week's effort. Horendus Hulabaloo contests his first handicap having been fifth in a hot Grade Two novice at Thurles last time. Some Officer steps back up in trip after running on over shorter at Limerick last time, while the consistent Prince Rudi carries top weight on his return from a break.
