Four-time winner Doran's Pride will be sadly missed in this year's renewal of the Morris Oil Chase, but the featured event at Clonmel on Sunday still promises to be an intriguing affair. Micko's Dream and Moscow Express top the weights, but are unlikely to dominate proceedings as their Gowran Park conqueror Puget Blue renews rivalry and is joined in the fray by the highly rated Ferbert Junior. Micko's Dream was odds-on to beat both Puget Blue and Moscow Express over this trip at Gowran Park last month, but needed his first run since early May and is better judged on his recent victory over Native Upmanship at Navan.
The remainder of the card lacks quality, but makes up for it in quantity. Champagne Native's presence in the three-mile Handicap Hurdle leaves almost half the field out of the handicap proper. The main beneficiary could well be Charlie Swan's Nearly A Gimme. The grey made an eye-catching seasonal reappearance at Navan three weeks ago, staying on from the rear to finish a close fourth to Splendour. The third horse, Henry Hammond, has won since and Nearly A Gimme can do likewise off his correct mark of 9st7lb.
Charlie Swan could also land the opening Maiden Hurdle with Garden Town. The five-year-old handles soft ground and boasts arguably the best form in the race having finished third to Supreme Venture and The Irish Raider at Punchestown last month. The Irish Raider is third reserve for this contest and unlikely to get a run.
Donna's Princess took advantage of the sixth fence exit of Carmelite to win a Beginners Chase here last week. The pair are both in the line-up for the 2m4f Novice Handicap Chase and have leading chances although it looks a competitive contest. The more experienced Ceannairceach could prove the answer.
Beef or Salmon will be a warm order for the concluding winners' Bumper. The Michael Hourigan trained gelding was third in the valuable Land Rover Bumper at Fairyhouse on his racecourse debut in May. If fully fit for his reappearance, he should be too strong for the previous winners in the field.
Filed by Greg McKevitt
