Rathgar to make amends

Racing: Rathgar Beau looked an unlucky loser at the Cheltenham Festival, but fortune already looks to be favouring him ahead…

Racing: Rathgar Beau looked an unlucky loser at the Cheltenham Festival, but fortune already looks to be favouring him ahead of Navan's most valuable race today.

The Dusty Sheehy-trained star beat nine opponents to win last year's renewal of the Grade Three An Uaimh Chase, but theoretically he has a simple task to beat just two others this time round. Such a small field has helped contribute the moving of the €32,000 contest to the end of the day.

Rathgar Beau's last fence mistake in the Daily Telegraph Trophy left Sheehy with a frustrating sense of "what if", but with his horse over a stone well in with Native Upmanship, and over two stone clear of Baily Mist on the ratings, there should be no such problems to cope with.

Tony McCoy makes a quick return to Ireland after his Fairyhouse exploits and will be on board the maiden winner Far From Trouble in the two and three quarter mile novice hurdle.

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Christy Roche's horse is up against some hardy types here, however, including Tasman and Theatre Lane who started joint-favourites at Fairyhouse on Easter Monday. Tasman emerged best of the duo, but had to settle for second behind Healy's Pub. Barry Geraghty is on board the Weld runner today and kept to the same trip he can emerge best of all.

Paul Carberry picked up a leg injury at Fairyhouse and won't be back in action until Liverpool next week. Denis O'Regan takes his place on Tous Les Tables in the opening novice hurdle and a run behind Levitator last Tuesday should have done this horse a lot of good.

Adarma should be up to providing Tony McCoy with at least one winner in the novice chase and it's not impossible that The Boys In Green could reverse form with Cherry Hunter in the handicap chase.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

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