Idle Lass to enjoy longer trip

Hopes to run off the re-scheduled Cork card were almost inevitably given up yesterday morning when it was abandoned, but no underwater surveys are planned for either Clonmel or Down Royal which make up a busy day for Irish racing.

The ground is heavy at Clonmel, and the Down Royal manager, Michael Todd, said yesterday: "We will go ahead, but the ground will be very heavy. The nature of the track is that it has a very sandy base and only for that we would not be able to race."

Judged by her last effort at Thurles eight days ago, the stiffer the stamina test the better for Idle Lass, who can make the long journey north from Michael Hourigan's Limerick yard worthwhile in the Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.

Over two and three quarter miles at Thurles, Idle Lass finished like a train to run second to the favourite County Captain.

She carries a similar light weight today over a crucial further quarter mile on a galloping track and looks a reasonable bet to stop the top-weight Coco Opera's winning streak.

Jimmy Mangan is travelling even further from his Cork base to run Monty's Pass in the handicap chase, and this one can go one better than last time when a gambled-on runner-up to Celtic Serenade at Punchestown.

After a 20 to 1 fourth to Senanjar at Punchestown, Jim Dreaper's Caledonian Bridge should be hard to beat in the opener, while the worthiness of See Just There's recent effort at Navan may be gauged by the run of Wee Annie in the three mile maiden hurdle.

Hourigan can also score closer to home at Clonmel with Fornaught Alliance in the conditions hurdle.

Consistent but luckless, Fornaught Alliance held every chance in the Cork handicap hurdle won by Beal Na Blath only to be brought down and is due a change of fortune.

Hourigan will also be fancying his chances with Door Run in the opener, but this horse had to work very hard to justify favouritism at Thurles and maybe the course winner Over The Furze is a better option.

Generosa, after two seconds and a fall over the course and distance last time out, could now start at a working man's price to finally break her duck over fences when she goes in the mares Beginners Chase.

Mill Lane Lady took advantage of Generosa's second last fence fall to run second to Annie Cares, but with a reasonable round of jumping, the Cheltenham winner should have far too much class for her.

Carigeen Lily was placed in a bumper here earlier in the season so speed will not be an issue for her in the handicap chase.

Neither will weight, but she was running a blinder over the course and distance when she unseated her rider behind Brownie Returns so her jumping may not foot perfect.

But if there isn't a repeat of that she should go well against the likes of Irregular Planting and Bangabunny.

Tomorrow's Coral Welsh National looks set to be a gruelling test of stamina as significant rain has turned the going at Chepstow to heavy. But officials stressed that there are no doubts about the meeting's going ahead.