ONE TIME classic hopeful Tout A Coup is on a retrieval mission in today's Dawn Pure Orange Juice Race at Listowel.

Impressive winner of her first three races last season, including the Cheshire Oaks, Tout A Coup, who races in the Edmund Loder colours made famous recently by such as Marwell and Marling, went into the Irish Oaks last June with realistic hopes of winning only to flop dismally.

Her only other run last year produced another disappointment when she finished last of five to Mohaajir in a Listed race at Leopardstown but trainer Gerry Cusack believes the Tout A Coup who impressed so much earlier that season will reappear now.

"I've been very pleased with her progress from three to four. She came back to me in January from Mr Loder's farm and while you never quite know for sure how they'll go first time I'm hopeful," the Naas trainer said yesterday.

Knowing for sure is a luxury that trainers really experience and an explanation for Tout A Coup's appalling Oaks effort has proved frustratingly elusive.

"The Oaks was inexplicable. We did all sorts of tests and nothing showed. I would forgive her the Leopardstown run because she threw a splint the following morning," Cusack added.

With Damancher, conqueror of Zagreb last year, and Layik in today's race, it will be no stroll for Tout A Coup but she is the clear top rated runner and if ambitious plans for later are realistic, the filly has to at least go close.

The nap vote, however, goes to John Oxx's Sharavati in the opening Kerry Maid Maiden. This is a pretty decent contest with the other members of the dominating trainer quartet represented by potential smart types.

Dermot Weld's Magical Cliche was well touted for her debut at the Curragh but failed to Dangerous Diva; Jim Bolger's Stefka ran the classic hope Royal Affinity to two lengths at the Curragh, while Aidan O'Brien's Outflanker can't be disregarded.

However, the form of Sharavati's debut fourth to Lil's Boy and Orange Jasmine at Tipperary now looks pretty good as Lil's Boy subsequently won the 2,000 Guineas Trial at Leopardstown and Orange Jasmine finished runner up in the Italian 1,000 Guineas. Oxx's horse looked sure to improve from that too and he can win this hot looking maiden.

Oxx also has excellent prospects too in the mile handicap with the Tipperary winner Medal Of Honour who can double up too for Tout A Coup's rider Pat Smullen. The gelding was good value for his three quarter length defeat of Tertia that day and although one of his opponents, Elida, won a handicap over the same distance by almost a second faster 30 minutes afterwards, it didn't look the strongest race ever.

Arthur Moore and Frank Woods were in irresistible form during the Punchestown Festival and Ryhane can continue the run in the Dawn Milk Handicap Chase. An easy winner of a depleted handicap at Fairyhouse, Ryhane, nevertheless, did all that was expected of him and it's significant that Woods has elected to ride him instead of stable companion Ardshuil.