Justified bookies' choice for Clonmel

Round-up: Justified heads a field of nine for the Clonmel Oil Chase at the Co Tipperary track today.

Dusty Sheehy's charge drops back to two and a half miles after finishing second to Taranis in the James Nicholson Wine Merchant Champion Chase over three miles at Down Royal last time.

"He's in very good form and it will be no bother whatsoever stepping back in trip," said Sheehy. "The ground is good but it might be good to yielding by tomorrow as they're set to have a drop of rain. It would be beautiful ground I would have thought."

Clonmel Philip Fenton believes Justified will provide tough opposition for his runner Sher Beau.

"He seems in good form and he appears to have taken his last race two weeks ago well," said Fenton. "You can be sure it's going to be a tough contest with the likes of Justified in there.

"There's a drop of rain due there. The ground should be on the good side but it won't be any quicker and we'll be happy to let him take his chance on it."

Sher Beau finished third in this race 12 months ago, three and a half lengths behind Paul Nolan's runner-up Kill Devil Hill. And Nolan will check on ground conditions before giving the seven-year-old the go-ahead this time.

Kill Devil Hill, beaten by the narrowest of margins behind Sir Oj in this Grade Two contest, has not raced since being pulled up in the Irish Grand National in April.

"They've been forecast a little rain and they'll need every bit of it," said Nolan. "His legs got puffed up after the Irish National but he's very well and ready to run. I shall walk the track and see how it is.

"He's still got an entry in the Hennessy at Newbury but it's just a case of keeping all options open."

Michael Hourigan saddles last month's Limerick National winner Mossbank, while veteran Ansar represents Dermot Weld. The field is completed by Jim, Light On The Broom, Knight Legend and Pacolet.

Justified is 6 to 5 favourite with bookmakers Cashmans to take the prize that has been won in the recent past by such stars as War Of Attrition (2005), Edredon Bleu (2003) and Beef Or Salmon (2002).

Nigel Twiston-Davies reports Knowhere to be in top form ahead of a second crack at the Paddy Power Gold Cup at Cheltenham on Saturday.

The nine-year-old set the pace until falling at the eighth fence when Exotic Dancer gained the day 12 months ago, but he almost made amends when second to that horse in the boylesports.com Gold Cup the following month.

"He's in great form. He schooled on Monday and did his last piece of work on Tuesday and he couldn't be better," said Naunton-based Twiston-Davies. "You would always like less weight but if he is an improving horse then we should be all right."

Knowhere is generally available at 10 to 1 after making a successful reappearance at Cheltenham last month.

Denman is 9 to 2 favourite for the Hennessy Cognac Gold Cup following the publication of the weights for the Newbury showpiece.

Totesport and William Hill have last season's Royal & Sun Alliance Chase winner heading the market for the prestigious handicap chase on December 1st.

Coral have the Paul Nicholls-trained gelding sharing favouritism on 5 to 1 with the David Pipe-trained Abragante.

Denman is joint third top weight on 10st 8lb behind his stablemate Kauto Star on 11st 12lb, with Exotic Dancer on 11st 5lb.

Totesport spokesman Damian Walker said: "If Denman can win the Hennessy off a mark of 161, then clearly he is bang in the picture for the Totesport Gold Cup and will be a massive threat to Kauto Star at Cheltenham."

CLONMEL OIL CHASE BETTING- Cashmans: 6-5 Justified, 4-1 Mossbank, 9-2 Knight Legend, 8-1 Sher Beau, 10-1 Kill Devil Hill, 12-1 Light On The Broom, 16-1 Ansar, 33-1 Jim, Pacolet.

HENNESSY COGNAC GOLD CUP BETTING: Totesport: 9-2 Denman, 11-2 Abragante, 10-1 New Alco, 12-1 Snowy Morning, 14-1 Bible Lord, Dom D'Orgeval, Mossbank, Patsy Hall, 16-1 bar.

William Hill: 9-2 Denman, 11-2 Abragante, 10-1 New Alco, 11-1 Snowy Morning, 12-1 Dom D'Orgeval, Ollie Magern, 14-1 Heltornic, Juveigneur, Knowhere, L'Antartique, Mossbank, Neptune Collonges, 16-1 bar.

Coral: 5-1 Abragante, Denman, 10-1 Snowy Morning, 12-1 Mossbank, New Alco, 14-1 Bible Lord, Copsale Lad, Dom D'Orgeval, Juveigneur, Knowhere, Offshore Account, 16-1 bar.