Silverhand out to buck the ratings

FORMER CHAMPION trainer Noel Meade presents a dilemma for punters at Thurles today, where Aitmatov is a ratings shoo-in for the conditions hurdle but Paul Carberry is on board his stable companion Silverhand.

Davy Condon is again on Aitmatov, having been in the saddle earlier this month when the former Grade One winner chased home Donna’s Palm at Tipperary.

Carberry got his pick right that day and it could be worth betting he manages that again on the progressive Silverhand, who faces a statistical challenge against the other Meade runner.

Aitmatov is rated 15lbs ahead of Silverhand and manages to get 4lbs in weight from that horse. Meade’s decision to let the younger horse take his chance anyway looks significant, as does Carberry’s decision to ride him.

Carberry also teams up today with Gordon Elliott for the Michael O’Leary-owned Toner d’Oudairies, a French winner over a mile and a half in July, who can make a winning Irish debut in the maiden hurdle.

The former Galway Hurdle winner Bahrain Storm has just the second start of his career over fences in the opener and Pat Flynn’s stalwart performer should be capable of much better than his previous start, which yielded a moderate eighth at Limerick 17 months ago.

Arguidos has a 4lb penalty for beating Sox’s Girl at Cork on Sunday but should appreciate the extra distance of today’s handicap hurdle while the Tramore winner Skidroe Joe can also follow up in the handicap chase.