Cockney Lad moves up to the fences

Cockney Lad, just off the very top class over hurdles, makes his first appearance over fences at Roscommon today, and, although faced with some potentially exciting younger horses, Noel Meade's stalwart can make a winning start to his new career.

Now a nine-year-old, Cockney Lad never looked an obvious candidate for a career over fences, but Meade reports that the classy chestnut has been schooling well at home.

Certainly if he translates his hurdles form to the Listed Kilbegnet Novices Chase then the likes of the talented bumper performer Siberian Gale and the tough Spirit Dancer will find the going tough.

Cockney Lad has, after all, an Irish Champion Hurdle under his belt which he won in the January of 1997 from Theatreworld and Dardjini, and many other noteworthy victories feature in his CV. He hasn't run since February, but he is a sharp sort who should be fit. Siberian Gale is an interesting opponent. Paddy Mullins sent him out to win twice at Fairyhouse in May, including a hurdle at long odds on. He is a horse for the future, but the battle-hardened Cockney Lad looks a safer option this time.

The nap, however, goes to the David Hanley-trained Kenmare filly Kerry Belle in the Fairymount Maiden. This one ran a blinder on her Fairyhouse debut behind stable-mate Nasanice, and then was running on well towards the finish of a mile race at Listowel behind Vinka and Antrim Coast. The extra quarter-mile today should suit and Kerry Belle is selected to beat the Gowran third Inga and the Tralee runner-up Kasid.

Meade will also be fancying his chances in the novice hurdle with River Pilot, an easy Navan winner last May and who warmed up for this task with a fine fourth in the Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh recently.

Danny Grant and Declan McDonogh go into the second last of the Derrinstown Apprentice series on level terms after Grant's win on Resume at Cork on Saturday. Pat Flynn's horse goes again in today's race but will do well to cope with the Thurles runner-up Simulacrum and possibly even more dangerous Blue Music.

Fans of Aidan O'Brien's two year-old Tchaikovsky will be looking for a good run from Shabob in the Ballinlough Maiden after his fifth-place finish at the Curragh last month, and Itsmothershorse can make it third time lucky in the bumper.