The dual amateur champion Ruby Walsh has made a sparkling start to his professional career this season and can confirm his position at the top of the jockeys' table with a Clonmel double this evening.

Walsh has had 15 winners since the term started in June, and with the precarious nature of riding over obstacles, the 18 year old could yet end up challenging for the title at his first attempt. For that to happen, winners now are vital, and Master Cooper in the four-year-old maiden hurdle and Little-K in the handicap chase look promising material.

Master Cooper has been campaigning successfully on the flat this year. Third to Space Trucker over nine furlongs at Tramore last month, Master Cooper is a winner of a 10 furlong handicap on this track in May, and with a rating of 80 on the flat, should have no problem striking also over flights.

Little-K won over two and a half miles at Tramore last month, beating the subsequent Tralee winner, Flying In The Gale, by six lengths, with Walsh delivering his challenge coming to the last. The trip is shorter today but a repeat of that Tramore effort should suffice for Little-K.

With Pat Smullen out with a fractured collar-bone, Stephen Craine, the leading flat rider at Clonmel, takes over on Frances Crowley's Goldnecu in the two-mile maiden, and this three-year-old is selected to show more than he did at Tralee last week.

Goldnecu disappointed slightly when third to Frankie Dettori's mount, Allotrope, over a mile and six but he should be worth another chance now.