COCKNEY LAD appeared to have a considerable amount in hand when winning at Punchestown on Saturday, but the runner-up, his stable companion Hill Society, performed so well that he is a confident choice in the Kilbride Hurdle at Fairyhouse this afternoon.
Admittedly, the four-year-old performs best in summer conditions, hut he handled the soft ground on Saturday extremely well and as he showed when beating the highly-regarded Theatreworld at this meeting last year, he has plenty of ability.
However, Guest Performance is sure to stretch him all the way. The winner of two of his four hurdle races last season, the Be My Guest gelding won a Flat handicap at Clonmel when resuming after a long lay-off at Clonmel earlier this month.
Noel Meade, Hill Society's trainer, has his horses in marvellous form at the moment and the Meath trainer may also provide the winner of the Mulhuddart EBF Novice Chase in The Latvian Lark. The eight-year-old was an odd-on favourite to make a winning start to her chasing career at Clonmel earlier this month.
Everything seemed to be going to plan as he went to the front from the start, only to run out of steam in the closing stages. He is likely to improve on that performance, and he will need to, if he is to heat the impressive Wexford winner, Le Ginno.
The 13-year-old Final Tub showed that he retains much of his old ability when winning at Galway last month and he may take the Donoughmore Handicap Chase for the second successive year.
David Casey, who has quickly established himself as one of leading riders in the country, has one winning ride to go before losing his claim. He must have a sporting chance to do so on the Punchestown runner-up, Johnny Handsome, in the Warrenstown Handicap Hurdle.
Top US stallion Slew O'Gold was yesterday reported to be recovering well after a bout of equine protozoal myelitis, a disease which affects the central nervous system.
The 16-year-old had been rushed to hospital from his barn at Three Chimneys Farm in Midway after falling ill.
But manager Dan Rosenberg said his valuable inmate is recovering well and could be back home soon.
