The 134 declared runners in this afternoon's seven-race National Hunt card at Thurles include no less than 15 reserves, and for SP punters anxious to have their bets earlier in the day, this is a unnecessary complication.
The reason for this is that it is possible that reserves such as Tacolino (1-30), Jimmy Dan (330) and Carrigeen Lily (3-30) all have real chances if they get a run.
At the last meeting over this course and distance there was a divided maiden hurdle, and Native Marsh returned a time more than five seconds better than did Boley Lad, successful in the second division. .
In recording that figure he gave 5lb and a 2l beating to Garryduff Breeze, and he is napped to beat Disposen in the Littleton Opportunity Handicap Hurdle.
Boley Lad, who was on the bridle to beat Bramble Bee, goes for the Holycross Hurdle, but over this very different distance, he may have to give way to Kirmar, who sports the colours of Sir Denis Forman.
Already a wide-margin three-mile hurdle winner at Wexford, Kirmar demonstrated that he had reasonable pace to match his staying power when splitting Vanilla Man and Lodge Hill over two and a half at Punchestown.
Storm Ten has already notched up three hurdle successes this year and it is significant that his veteran trainer Paddy Mullins is quick to point this son of Strong Gayle on to a chasing career.
He opposes a competitive field in what will be his first outing over fences. Cases can be made for Ballyrihy Boy, Rock Castle and Roses Of Picardy but the well being of Storm Ten was shown off when he beat Genomic last time out at Tipperary.
Likewise, over the two miles of the Seskin Beginners Chase a clutch of horses come into the reckoning, starting off with Advocat and ending with one of the five-year-olds River Cora.
Both of these have already been placed over fences but the best prospect for the future may be Northern Galaxy, who won over hurdles with consummate ease at Leopardstown in January and whose trainer Arthur Moore saddled a Down Royal novice chase winner, Folliday, at the weekend.
Lake Kariba, trained by Venetia William's, is likely to miss Saturday's Murphy's Gold Cup at Cheltenham, according to the geldings owner's The Winning Line.
