AIDAN O'BRIEN'S runners very seldom start the complete outsider in any type of race, so an indication of just how open the two mile Sean Graham Handicap d'Hurdle at Kilbeggan is this evening is that his Port Noble may just fill that role.
A strong case can be made for the other seven runners, but the selection is the blinkered Niyampour, who, before failing on the Flat at Galway, had won a handicap hurdle with considerable ease at Wexford. Top weight Templeroan Prince and Phardante Girl might be others worth noting in this, the first leg of the Jackpot.
Allatrim another in action in the Flat at Galway, where she made no show, had finished a decent second to Tarajan at Killarney over hurdles. She should again finish in front of the third horse, Jane Digby, in the Tullamore Mares Maiden Hurdle.
Having her first run of the year, Waterloo Ball made much of the running when half length runner up to Rossbeigh Creek at Killarney. The pair are in opposition once more in the Joe Cooney Memorial Handicap Chase and on 3lb better terms Waterloo Ball may come out on top this time.
O'Brien and Charlie Swan may also team up successfully in the following race, the Michael Moore Beginners Chase, with Brook Hill Lady.
Dundock Wood, who handles all types of ground, is a useful staying hurdler and she should follow up her course and distance win in here in June by beating Sudden Storm and Kilcaramore in the Sean Graham Handicap Hurdle.
Barrigan's Hill could not make any impression on Ask The Butler at Galway, but he still finished a creditable sixth of 21. He is preferred to Benny The Bishop and. Gale Hampshire in the Tom Birmingham Menswear INH Hat Race.
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