Bongo Man bang on

Conditions are sure to be testing at Thurles tomorrow where Adrian Maguire can make a flying and profitable visit.

Maguire flies to the Tipperary track principally for The Bongo Man in the £9,000 Carey Bros Hurdle, and the tip should be taken up.

It's not just Maguire's presence that encourages hope for the Tony Mullins-trained horse. The Bongo Man ran an encouraging race behind the Sun Alliance Hurdle hope Native Dara and All The Colours at Punchestown last weekend where he was asked to make up quite a bit of ground in the straight.

The Bongo Man made a brave attempt but couldn't quite make it. Ridden a little more decisively today, the result could be different.

It will not be easy, however, with the presence of Advocat in the race. Runner-up to Blowing Wind in Cheltenham's County Hurdle and also in the Cordon Bleu Hurdle at Aintree, Noel Meade's charge is likely to start favourite.

Meade will be hoping for success, as coming into this weekend he trails Frances Crowley by a miniscule £111 in the trainers' table. But this will be Advocat's first run of the term and, in the circumstances, The Bongo Man may be better value.

Meade could score though with Heather Ville if that horse jumps even adequately in what looks a competitive Molony Cup. Tony Mullins should also be hopeful in the Puckane Flat Race where he runs Native Man, while Maguire could also be on the double with The Road To Moscow in the Dromineer Handicap Hurdle.

Crowley shouldn't leave the course empty-handed either as Brian Crowley's mount Rainbow Era looks the solution to the Portroe Flat Race. Willie Mullins' Mill Lane Lady will be a popular choice in the maiden hurdle, but it would be unwise to ignore the claims of the Francis Flood-trained Our Meg.

This one was travelling really well before the turn in at Punchestown last weekend over two-and-a-half miles before fading to third behind Roses Of Picardy. With half a mile less to go tomorrow, she will be a danger to all.

Sea Fisher was another that ran at Punchestown last Sunday and didn't do at all badly to be third to Rathgibbon. Jason Titley rides Austin Leahy's charge today.

Mary Reveley reached her fastest half-century in a season over jumps when Brother Of Iris gained an impressive success in the Red Rum Novices' Chase at Doncaster yesterday.

The legendary triple Aintree Grand National hero after which the race was named would have been proud of the way Brother Of Iris jumped.

The five-year-old, confidently ridden by Lorcan Wyer, took up the running three out and going clear to beat Zaitoon by seven lengths without being extended.

Mrs Reveley watched the race on TV at home and said later: "We usually get to 50 around New Year's Eve so it is nice to get there a bit sooner this time.