IT was a smart performance on the part of Official Portrait to beat the facile Navan winner, Tommy Paud, so readily in a handicap hurdle at Clonmel and while subsequently beaten at Tralee, Aidan O'Brien's charge can return to winning form at Clonmel this evening.
O'Brien has good prospects of initiating a winning double with Frances Street in the Templemore Maiden. He was touched off by Bronica in a two mile maiden here last month and having won his bumper earlier may be better suited to this shorter trip.
Fontaine Fables, successful in a novice hurdle at Fairyhouse last time out, had previously run Wood Leopard to three lengths at Dundalk and relegating the lightly raced Bunowen to fifth place, with Clear Bid one place behind. Bunowen, the mount of Michael Kiaane can improve but Frances Street may have Fontaine Fables to fear.
Jim Bolger is likely to achieve his half century within the next week or so and Cois Na Farraige is chosen to bring him closer to that tally in the June Handicap.
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