Prop Primed For Gowran

Tony Martin is hoping to land another valuable chase this season with Newbay Prop in the Ellen Construction Thyestes Chase at Gowran on Thursday.

The lightly-raced nine-year-old earned a last-gasp victory in the Paddy Power Chase under substitute rider Ross Geraghty, older brother of Barry.

Regular pilot Robbie Colgan unfortunately broke his jaw in a fall a day earlier, depriving him of the biggest pay-day of his career, but Martin is hoping to have him back in the saddle.

'He's done a little bit of work this morning and he is very well, the rain wouldn't worry me,' said Martin.

''I've always felt he was a better horse on soft ground anyway. He was running a blinder in the race he won this year 12 months before when Cane Brake won it but he fell, and it was desperate ground that day.

'He had the blinkers on him for the first time in the Paddy Power and they'll be on again.

'It's not because I think he is ungenuine but I just think he lost a bit of interest in his race before the Paddy Power. The blinkers definitely helped in the early part of the race.

'Robbie is coming in tomorrow. I haven't confirmed any riding plans yet as he has to see the doctor, he rides most of mine now anyway unless Ruby (Walsh) is available.

'I can't see my other two, The Roney Man and Farmer Grant, getting in but if Farmer did get in I would run him.'

Final Act needs just two horses to come out to get a run and trainer John Murphy confirmed the 12-year-old a starter.

'I think he'll probably get a run. The ground is bottomless and it won't suit a lot of them, but he'll go in it, definitely,' he said.

The gelding has had two runs in the last five weeks after his comeback from 21 months on the sidelines.

'He's had serious leg trouble all his life, but he's coming good now, so it's fingers crossed,' he added.

Barry Geraghty has been confirmed for the ride on No Full, who will be having first start for trainer Eoin Doyle after finishing a gallant third in the Paddy Power.

'He should have a chance,' said Geraghty.

'It was a great run in the Paddy Power. Newbay Prop is in again but is worse off at the weights and he was only beaten a length and a half.

'It would just concern me that all his good form is going left-handed, but Eoin Doyle doesn't see why he should have a problem so we'd be hoping that he has a good shout,' he told At The Races.

(C) PA Sport