Mister Top Notch poised

TRALEE PREVIEW:THE €45,000 Denny Gold Medal Chase is the Tralee feature this afternoon but the two most high-profile chasers on the card won't be running over fences.

Instead last year's shock 33 to 1 Irish Grand National winner Hear The Echo runs in a handicap hurdle and the high-class Mister Top Notch takes part in the famous Havasnack Race.

Jumping stars such as Dawn Run have landed the two mile flat event in the past and Mister Top Notch comes here on the back of a fine run under topweight in the Kerry National.

Last year's Irish Derby sixth Prince Erik carries topweight while Tony Martin has a comparative unknown quantity in Pires. But the chaser can show these youngsters the way home.

Hear The Echo has his first start since Easter Monday in the two and a half mile handicap hurdle and is reunited with Davy Russell.

But this looks another good opportunity for Conem who won twice at Listowel and looks up to carrying an 11lb hike in the ratings today.

The feature race looks more competitive but two and a half miles around a flat track looks ideal for Macs Flamingo who teams up with Barry Geraghty again after a lacklustre effort in the Kerry National.

His fifth in the Galway Plate was much more encouraging and at a course and distance over which he has won before Macs Flamingo can go well at a decent price.

Merveilles reached triple figures in flat ratings during the summer and makes his first start over fences in the Beginners Chase. However, he might have to bow to Loup Du Saubouas's experience.

Today's scheduled Sligo card was called off yesterday as persistent rain waterlogged the track.

"The overnight rain continued into today. The ground was already heavy so basically it couldn't take any more," said a Turf Club spokesman.