Although she wears blinkers, the Roselier mare Slavica has shown plenty of resolution in her races this season and should have the required stamina to win this afternoon's Jameson Ulster National EBF Handicap at Downpatrick.
The eight-year-old is in peak form at present following victories over an extended three miles at both Fairyhouse and Clonmel and on each occasion she was eased on the run-in. Indeed, so well did she finish at Clonmel that her rider, Karl Wyse, was trying to convince her trainer, Donal Hayes, to send her for the Four Mile National Hunt Chase at Cheltenham.
The main challenge to Slavica may come from another mare, the top-weight Brian's Delight, who although her form has tapered off recently, showed her toughness when winning Punchestown's Conyngham Cup in atrocious ground early in December.
Danceperk showed little sparkle in a bumper at the end of January but had some fine hurdle form earlier. Her display when second to Prince De Loir at Navan in December gives her a clear chance in the Downpatrick On-Course Bookmakers Maiden Hurdle and she is preferred to Afrostar.
The J P McManus-owned Secluded Spot attracted no support on his debut at Gowran behind Swift Flame at the Thyestes meeting and he was never in with a shout. However, the Morning Star Belfast Opportunity Maiden Hurdle does not look highly competitive and the Be My Native gelding might be up to the challenge.
The Arthur Moore runner in the beginners' chase, Woodland King, has been off the track since finishing second to Aces And Eights over fences at Fairyhouse last April. That was a useful effort and he should have the beating on An Modh Direach.
Cooladerry was favourite for a bumper at Ayr in January but came up against the useful Toggi Dancer and went down by eight lengths and he might be able to take care of No Discount and The Clones Cyclone in the bumper.
Thursday's meeting at Thurles has been transferred to Saturday, after an inspection at the course yesterday found that the track was unfit for racing due to water-logging. Fresh stratchings must be made by tomorrow and declarations on Friday.
