Ebony Flyer makes the long journey from East Cork to Kilbeggan this evening for the McHugh Handicap Hurdle and the long three-mile trip of the race could prove the key to her success.

This represents the latest recent half-mile hike up in distance for Pat Healy's mare who ran third to Cromwell's Keep over two miles at Cork in April before running on to be second to Leos Holiday over two-and-a-half at Killarney last month.

Ebony Flyer is clearly a mare who doesn't take a lot of racing, but she showed at Killarney that this test of stamina should be suitable for her. This will be no easy task however with the likes of Oriel Dancer in opposition, but circumstances now look right for Ebony Flyer.

Another Southern runner who can hit the mark is John Queally's East Coast Cooler in the Bloomfield Handicap Chase.

This eight-year-old landed some tidy bets at Tralee recently when dominating a handicap straight from the outset. East Coast Cooler was never headed and jumped particularly well until the very last obstacle when he made a mistake.

That was the only really dangerous moment and although he has a 7 lb. penalty, which brings the Tralee third Ardnataggle right into things, East Coast Cooler can dominate again.

One horse that was expected to win at Tralee was Ballyrihy Boy, but the odds-on favourite came unstuck behind Waydante. Before that, Ballyrihy Boy was unlucky here in the race won by Kings Banquet but basically he looks a good jumper and Charlie Swan's hope should be able to prove that point in the Beginners' Chase.

Good Time Abbey, runner-up in a Cork maiden hurdle and the winner of a Clonmel bumper last time, is preferred to Apremont and Albertridge in the T&V Maiden Hurdle while the course winner Monty's Fancy can follow up in the Bank Of Ireland Handicap Hurdle.