With Danoli on the sidelines, Tom Foley's name has been largely away from the headlines in recent months but that can be rectified when the Co Carlow trainer travels to tomorrow's Naas fixture with good prospects of a double.
Anyone who saw As Royal's rate of acceleration when winning on terrible ground at the Punchestown festival last month will have to count the gelding as a serious danger to all in the Dawn Farm Handicap Hurdle.
As Royal simply sprinted away from Micko's Dream and Sawa-Id on the run to the last in a novices hurdle there and was full value for his eight-length victory.
Today's task is stiffer and the going will be less extreme, but Punchestown only confirmed the ability of As Royal. If Shay Barry gives him a similarly patient ride, As Royal should play a prominentrole in the finish.
Foley and Barry also combine in the maiden hurdle with Garrys Lock who also put in a prominent effort at Punchestown. The nineyear-old was a staying on fourth to Kings Road, Colonel Yaeger and To Your Honour, all top class bumper performers.
It was the second time Garrys Lock ran well in that race as he was fifth in 1997. However, his subsequent novice chase career fizzled out, especially considering the promise of his second to Grey Guy at Navan in November. Clearly in good form now, the small obstacles should suit Garrys Lock and he is preferred to River Rock.
The nap, however, goes to Eymir who represents the in-form John Oxx team in the Oldtown Stud Race. This Polish Patriot colt made an encouraging seasonal debut when giving a length beating to Rahika Rose over a mile at Gowran earlier this month and should have improved enough to defy the 6lb penalty. In the process he can beat Alonzo, who also won on that Gowran card.
Tomorrow's jackpot will be boosted by a £5,098 carryover but the third leg of the pot, the Go Racing In Kildare Handicap, will present quite a problem for those trying to collect.
The likes of Joleah, a winner at the Curragh, and Lets Clic Together have clear chances but it could pay to side with the unexposed horse in the race, Sarpadar.
This one beat Vintage Escape in a maiden at Dundalk last year and although Sarpadar hasn't run since he has a degree of talent..
If Lanturn turns out for the bumper he will be hard to beat; if he doesn't Copious Notes looks the alternative. In the opener, Aidan O'Brien's Storm Bird filly April Starlight looks best.
