Lordan looks to keep ahead in title race

Only one winner separates Pat Smullen and John Murtagh at the top of the jockeys' table but the race for the apprentice title is even closer with just a gap of two between the top four youngsters in the country.

A remarkable winning streak this week has seen Cork-born Wayne Lordan leap to the top with a total of 18 winners and the jockey can cement his lead at his local track this evening.

Lordan has had a winner on each of the last three racing days and looks to have reasonable chances on Soaring Eagle in the opener as well as on the Sligo winner Kiptanui in the 10-furlong handicap. That would extend his lead of one over Pat Cosgrave (17) and Colm O'Donoghue and Tadhg O'Shea, who are both on 16, in what is developing into the tightest struggle for the apprentice title in years.

Soaring Eagle should be fine on the rain-softened ground based on a victory at Ballinrobe, but he will need to be to cope with Paris Express and the Curragh third Ceremonious.

Kiptanui won out in a finish of heads at Sligo last week and has to hump a 5lb penalty for his defeat of Tango Passion but should still at least make his presence felt.

Pat Flynn has enjoyed a welcome return to form in recent weeks, a fact that the Tramore festival only confirmed. Tonight he runs Steval in the sprint handicap and the 12 days since his last start at Galway will surely have done the Flynn runner some good.

Mona Day was a running a fine race at Galway on Plate day when taking a crashing fall at the second last flight. Pat Fahy's mare looks worth a bet to make up for that in the two and a half mile handicap hurdle.