With a £50,000 feature at Down Royal and the £20,000 Murphy's Handicap Hurdle in Killarney, it's not such a black financial Tuesday for Irish racing, and the recent addition to the training ranks Frances Crowley is taken to pick up the bulk of the Murphy's money with Southern Man.
This progressive five-yearold could still be ahead of the handicapper judged by an easy three and a half lengths defeat of Making The Point at Bellewstown last time. That followed up an equally easy success at Clonmel, and both successes gave the impression that the best is yet to come.
Southern Man takes a drop in distance for today's race, but with a bit of give in the Killarney going, he should not be troubled by that and he is preferred to Sunday's Curragh winner, Galletina.
Crowley can also take the preceeding novices chase with Moscow Express, a smart hurdler who took a Beginners Chase in good style at Cork last month and who looks a decent addition to the chasing ranks.
Tommy Stack's Scottish Song was a big disappointment at Leopardstown on his last appearance but had previously taken two bumpers in good fashion. He looks worth forgiving for that last flop in the Ross Hotel Race.
