Val taking up Cork challenge Cork's card is sponsored by the McCarthy Insurance Group and a low-key session begins with an interesting hurdle featuring the Willie Mullins-trained and Rich Ricci-owned Valyssa Monterg. The French import seemed to benefit from the drop back to two miles when winning at Tramore last month and, with Ruby Walsh again in the saddle, further improvement can see her follow up in the McCarthy Insurance Group Rated Novice Hurdle. Robert Tyner's Pulled Mussel was a good point-to-point, bumper and maiden hurdle winner and although last of five in Grade Two company last time, should give a good account now he drops back in class. Velocity Boy was a well-backed winner at Limerick recently and is another to consider. Elsewhere on the card, Dermot Weld sends useful Flat performer Show Court over hurdles for the first time in the McCarthy Insurance Group Maiden Hurdle. Show Court is opposed by bumper winners Patsio and Investmentsuccess, while JP McManus's French bumper winner Vent De La Cote is ridden by in-form jockey Mark Walsh. The 16,500 euro McCarthy Insurance Group Handicap Chase is the most valuable race and might go to Terence O'Brien's useful mare She's Got Grit, under regular rider Adrian Heskin. By Thomas Weekes
