COUSIN VINNY should continue his progress towards a Cheltenham return when he faces just three opponents at Naas today. Last season’s bumper champion lines up in the Irish Racing Writers Novice Hurdle, with the Noel Meade-trained Realt Dubh looking the only one even remotely capable of giving him a race.

Instead, it is ground conditions that concern Cousin Vinny’s trainer Willie Mullins, but he said yesterday: “The conditions of the race aren’t bad but the heavy ground probably suits Noel’s horse more.”

Cousin Vinny is no betting opportunity, but Mullins does provide one in Themoonandsixpence in the opening maiden hurdle.

Paul Townend’s mount was six lengths shy of Cockleshell Road at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day, but they were clear of the others and the winner’s trainer considers the first two decent prospects.

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Jessica Harrington’s decision to run Give It Time in the Limestone Lad Hurdle looks significant, while Top Of The Rock looks to give the Moone trainer a big chance in the Grade Two novice chase.

Dundalk’s all-weather track will stage its first Group race on October 2nd after Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) announced the Diamond Stakes has been promoted from Listed to Group Three status. The Curragh’s Dance Design Stakes (August 30th) has also been promoted to Group Three.

“We are absolutely delighted,” said the track’s chief executive, Jim Martin. “Muhannak’s win in the 2008 running and his subsequent victory at the Breeders’ Cup underlines the quality of horse running at Dundalk.”

HRI director of racing Jason Morris said: “The promotion of these two races enforces our commitment towards its key strategic policy of encouraging the production of high quality horses in Ireland.

“The success of that policy was reflected in the World Thoroughbred Rankings announced this week with New Approach crowned joint-overall world champion, Duke Of Marmalade announced as world champion older horse and Mastercraftsman and Bushranger leading an Irish one-two among Europe’s top two-year-olds.”