Silver heads Hilly Way ten

Cork Racecourse Mallow looks set to hold the first Irish National Hunt meeting in 17 days this Sunday, with an eight race card starting at the earlier time of 12.20pm featuring the O'Connell Group Hilly Way Chase.

An inspection is planned for 3pm on Saturday afternoon due to a frozen track but the anticapted thaw is expected to prove sufficient.

Racecourse Manager, Michael O’Neil said: “We are in good shape right now. While the track is frozen in parts at present, there is no snow on the track. The weather forecast is positive for the rest of the week."

The "Hilly Way" has attracted an impressive field of ten runners, with last year's winner Golden Silver taken on by the likes of Osana, Kempes, Roberto Goldback, Scotsirish , Zaarito.

Golden Silver's trainer Willie Mullins, who also saddles Kempes and Scotsirish, said: "Golden Silver will like the track and will love the ground, as long as it thaws out. We're just finding it hard to get opportunities for the other two and we need to get a run under their belts."

"We've been able to keep the horses ticking over at home all right, but Kempes might need it a bit because it's his first run of the season. The trip might be a bit short for him as well. Scotsirish will like the track, too, but the ground might just be too soft for him."

There are two Grade 3 contests on the programme, the O'Connell Group Cork Stayers Novice Hurdle and the Lombardstown Mares Novice Steeplechase.

Mullins trains likely favourite Blazing Tempo in the Mares event, and said: "She's in good form and I think she'll like the trip. I'm not so sure she'll like the real heavy ground, but hopefully she'll handle it all right."

Admission on Sunday is €15, while there is also racing at Cork Racecourse Mallow on Monday 13th December (six race card beginning at 12.45pm) when admission will be free.