Publican takes his chance

Timmy Murphy teams up with the Pat Fahy-trained Publican at Sandown today where the Irish raider takes his chance in the two …

Timmy Murphy teams up with the Pat Fahy-trained Publican at Sandown today where the Irish raider takes his chance in the two mile handicap chase.

The JP McManus-owned horse faces a competitive field including the Nicky Henderson trained Tanikos and Almaydan.

On the home front, Michael Bowe gives his smart bumper performer Fair Ina a third career start in the mares bumper at Fairyhouse today and it will be a disappointment if Solerina's sister cannot follow up a Punchestown victory on New Year's Eve.

Bowe has already expressed his belief that Fair Ina is a potentially exciting prospect and she has form holding the Willie Mullins runner Itsmylife.

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Mullins should have better luck in the four-year-old conditions hurdle where C'est Va will be fancied to follow up her own New Year's Eve victory at Punchestown.

Paul Carberry teams up with Charlie Swan who sends out Mister Month to carry topweight in the two mile handicap chase. Mister Month ran into a tough opponent at Leopardstown over Christmas when emerging best of the rest behind the Cheltenham Grand Annual prospect Kranji. He has to concede 6lb to the Tramore novice winner Omas Glen today but looks up to the task.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column