Limerick Preview: Conor O'Dwyer's decision to bypass the delights of Leopardstown in favour of a St Stephen's Day trip to Limerick can pay off in style for the Gold Cup and Champion Hurdle-winning rider at Greenmount Park.
The veteran jockey teams up with his former weighroom colleague Charlie Swan for the ride on One Cool Cookie in the featured €55,000 Guinness Chase, and the famous duo look to have the winning of this Grade Two contest between them.
Up against them will be the course winner Kings Advocate, whose forcing style is likely to make it a real test in the conditions, but One Cool Cookie, a course hurdles winner last year, still has a first-rate chance.
There was plenty to like about his chasing debut at Listowel, and although he disappointed at Tipperary, he was found to be lame afterwards. That would explain his tendency to jump right that day, but even a repeat of that habit would be no problem at this track.
Letterman had his limitations exposed at Newbury, and while the bottom two are good mares, Swan's runner looks a horse with a future.
Ryanair boss Michael O'Leary also provides other ammunition for O'Dwyer, including Portraitist in the second maiden hurdle and Vintage Treasure in the Beginners Chase.
Portraitist ran last week behind Franklins Trail at Gowran and there was much to admire about the way he kept on for third, while Vintage Treasure was a fine third to Vic Venturi at Galway in a better race than Tuesday's.
Limerick's reputation as a relatively easy track should suit Artist's Muse in the conditions hurdle, where Ted Walsh's mare looks to have Mister Hight to beat. Artist's Muse is a game and consistent sort, and Gary Hutchinson will be nursing her around to come with a late run that may be well be decisive.
Bumper newcomers from the Willie Mullins team are always to be respected, and the trainer's son Patrick will be on board Mystical Megan in the last, while Davy Condon teams up with Noel Meade for what could be a successful festival opener on board the Downpatrick bumper winner Clarnazar.
Another local horse, Secret Squirrel, has been mixing it in Britain recently, but a return home can pay off in the handicap hurdle for trainer Eric McNamara.
Charlie Swan: "I run four horses in Down Royal and four others at Limerick, where I think my best chance of the day is One Cool Cookie in the Grade Two chase.
"He won well at Listowel, and after he finished third at Tipperary we found out he was slightly lame, which explained why he jumped to the right that day. He's been jumping straight at home and is in great order - so much so I've been schooling him myself.
"My horses went through a quiet spell a while ago but they seem to be coming back now, and two of the last three runners have won. But I'm still a little wary of their fitness.
"Mister Month, though, ran a nice race last weekend and that should have brought him on. Vedelle will be hard to beat in the 2.00 at Down Royal, but I still fancy my horse a good bit."
