Balla Sola the pick

Eight races worth almost £250,000 and three Grade 1 contests among them. Throw in Risk Of Thunder's attempt at a remarkable fifth La Touche Cup win and this is as good an Irish jumping fixture as one could imagine.

What would make it even better of course is a couple of winners and in the featured IAWS Champion Four Year Old Hurdle, Balla Sola looks the winning ticket.

Winner of two out of his three hurdles starts with a runner up placing in the Triumph Hurdle in between, Balla Sola has eight lengths to make up on Katarino on the form-book but there are sound reasons for thinking he can.

Willie Mullins remains convinced that Balla Sola, like all his Cheltenham horses, wasn't quite right at the festival and a subsequent trot up at Fairyhouse by Balla Sola seemed to confirm that. One bookmaker yesterday was forecasting Katarino starting at 5 to 4 and Balla Sola at 3 to 1. In these circumstances, Balla Sola looks much the better value.

There should also be a reversal of Cheltenham form in the Ballymore Champion Stayers Hurdle. Anzum sprang a 40 to 1 shock when catching Le Coudray slightly on the hop at Cheltenham. Strictly on the book, Le Coudray is now 2 lb. better off for a neck and should also not have to cope with the sort of wayward flight path that Lady Rebecca forced him into at Cheltenham.

Despite that, Le Coudray still looked to have the race sewn up until Anzum gave him no time to retaliate. The ground is also likely to be more in the Aidan O'Brien trained horse's favour this time and he is difficult to oppose.

The other Grade 1 contest can fall to O'Brien's sister in law Frances Crowley whose horses are coming back to form after a bout of sickness. She runs Promalee in the Tripleprint Novice Chase and while the two miles may be shorter than ideal for the horse, he did indicate a return to form when runner up to Rince Ri at Fairyhouse.

The sentiment factor will be really in force however before the La Touche over the banks course. Enda Bolger's last race, the Sean Connery owned gelding going for a fifth win in the contest and for once a worthwhile opponent for the partnership in Linden's Lotto.

Normally Risk Of Thunder's superiority is such that these races turn into glorified exhibitions but Linden's Lotto should prevent that. Nevertheless, Risk Of Thunder is such a professional around here that it seems only wise to go with the seasoned pro.

Arthur Moore can notch up a double with The Quads in the Castlemartin Pat Taaffe Chase and Phariwarmer in the bumper.