Sher Beau is a ratings stand-out for today's feature race at Clonmel and it will be a surprise if Philip Fenton's ultra-smart chaser cannot prove the figures right.
The eight-year-old lines up for the €20,000 Wilderness Chase over an ideal trip of two and a half miles and it looks a perfect way to kick off his winter campaign.
Davy Russell teams up with Sher Beau whose 145 rating gives him a 12lb advantage over his nearest rival, Anothercoppercoast.
A more interesting rival may be last season's smart novice O'Muircheartaigh who looks a type to run well fresh. However, the same comment applies to Sher Beau whose general form is the clear best of these.
Edward O'Grady could have better luck in the opening maiden hurdle where the former Stakes placed Shazand can finally get off the mark over jumps.
Absolute Image will be hard to beat on his second hurdles start and Nollaig is hard to ignore in the bumper on the back of a fine debut at Roscommon behind Puyol.
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