Blinkers are usually not the most encouraging item for a racehorse, but the consistent Ithastobedone lacks nothing in courage and maybe those blinkers can pass the post first in today's £25,000 Power Handicap Hurdle at Gowran.
One of three runners trained by Frances Crowley in this race, Ithastobedone took longer than expected to actually win a race, but he did so at Tralee over two miles and six, with Lanturn well back in third, and amateur Brian Crowley seems to get on with him particularly well.
Only a mistake at the last finally put paid to Ithastobedone's chance behind Daisy A Day at Tipperary and he also ran the potentially top class To Your Honour to a length at Listowel.
Ithastobedone's ability to stay three miles on soft ground is unproven but he hasn't been stopping in any of his contests so far, and off 10-8 looks to have a winnable weight. In contrast, there is no questioning Triptodicks's stamina and, along with Fishin Joella and possibly The Quads, he looks a real danger.
An interesting runner in the Beginners Chase is Nick Dundee, who on reputation is likely to be at short odds. However, taking too short odds many not be wise and with the benefit of a run behind Promalee at Listowel, Nick Dundee's former trainer, Eugene O'Sullivan, can win with Excuse Me Sir.
O'Sullivan's horse was the only one to give Promalee even a semblance of competition, and long distances with a cut in the ground look to be Excuse Me Sir's forte. Balla Sola didn't show much on his last run over the weekend but at his best is a decent operator and should be up to winning the nine-furlong conditions race; while Willie Mullins's representative in the nursery, General Cloney, may be a big price to come back to form.
It could wind up a very good day for the local trainer, who has Hasty Native in the bumper; while Tom Foley's Banjala may be the one in the second division of the maiden hurdle.
Dorans Pride, after this week's impressive reappearance, could meet the former Cheltenham Gold Cup winner, Imperial Call, in the Morris Oil Chase at Clonmel on November 5th.
