A look ahead to Clonmel's T.A. Morris Eamonn Gallagher believes Backinthere deserves a shot at the Grade Three European Breeders Fund T.A. Morris Memorial Mares Chase at Clonmel. The eight-year-old struck at the first time of asking over fences at this track, landing a beginners event over the same two-and-half-mile trip. He said: "There was no ideal race to go for, so this was there for her, and we'll take our chance as she's in serious form. She jumped a bit novicey the last day but she schooled this morning over fences and she jumped superbly. "She's won twice at Clonmel, over hurdles and then over the course and distance the last day. Ideally she'd want heavier ground, though she won on yielding the last time. I'm hopeful of a very good run as she's never let us down. "I'd be praying for rain because she's all about stamina and she's tough. With the likes of Dazzling Susie in the opposition, a strong pace might bring a bit of stamina into play." Barry Geraghty gets the leg-up on Caoimhe's Delight with recent partner Adrian Heskin opting to ride Backinthere. Sean O'Brien's charge finished second in the Thurles race when Avondu Lady was fourth but had previously been beaten at Grade Three level behind Rebel Fitz. O'Brien said: "The trip and the ground will suit. The last day she ran over two-two which is on the sharp side for her as all her best form is over two and a half plus. "She's in great form and I'm expecting a big run from her which is the long and the short of it. "Her form has been rock solid over fences and as with last season she seems to be getting better with every run. "She's definitely come on a bit from her Thurles run the last day and with that in mind she should have as good a chance as anything in this. "I'd suppose like all of the rest of the mares in it, we're after the black type. "She's been very good to us and I just think the further she'll go trip-wise over fences the better she'll be." David Fenton sends Avondhu Lady into battle and he's anticipating some improvement in his runner. The eight-year-old finished fourth over two and a quarter miles at Thurles on her return last month. "She's in good form since her Thurles run, which she needed, and that was over a distance that was a bit short for her," he said. "She was third in this last year and we have no Willie Mullins (trainer of 2012 victor Tarla) to contend with now which is a big help! She's also won her beginners at the track. "She was very consistent all through last year and I think she's in as good an order this year. "The ground they're giving at the moment is something like yielding on the chase course and that wouldn't be any problem to her. "If they did get a drop of rain at Clonmel, it wouldn't do her any harm either."
