Weekend Preview | Tinahely 12th January

Race 1 - Weatherbys Ireland 5&6yo Mares Maiden

TIMEADAY still held placed prospects when coming down in the home straight at Dromahane over the Christmas period in her latest taste of competitive action, and with two other solid efforts to her name from earlier in the autumn campaign, she brings the pick of the form into this.

Maybe Its Time posted her best effort around here at the November fixture which will offer her supporters some hope, whilst the locally trained Lawlors Choice finished sixth at Liscarroll in March and should improve from her return at Tattersalls Farm.

Race 2 - The Shillelagh & District Hunt Thanking Local Farmers 5&6yo Geldings Maiden

Well supported before his debut, MISTER SWEETS was sent off as the favourite for that Turtulla introduction in November, when only finding the more experienced Scene Not Herd too good. It should not take much further improvement to go one better here.

Milanford finished just behind a subsequent maiden winner when third at Lingstown, however he would need to bounce back from a disappointing showing at Borris House, whilst the luckless Folcano, alongside Dunboyne, The Whistle Blower and Bournbon Street are others for the shortlist.

Race 3 - Slaney Foods Open

EDDIES MIRACLE is two from two this season with his latest victory coming in a red-hot Borris Open which featured no fewer than 17 runners. He was turned over as an odds-on favourite around here in the past, but enters this in top form. Mighty Stowaway is another two-time winner this season, whilst he also chased home Down Royal Hunter Chase victor Dylrow at Kirkistown to ensure he is a big threat.

Precious little separated Marinero and My Story when they met around here in November, and they are other dangers alongside point returnee Mine Now, in what should be a very competitive heat.

Race 4 - Central House Shillelagh Winner Of One - Novice Riders

NELSONS ROCK brings course form to the race having won his four-year-old maiden around here in October. With some of the lower order finishers in that race since getting into the placings, the form has a solid look to it. Denis Murphy enjoyed a good day around here at the November fixture with a double and his Lingstown winner, Beatthebullet, could go close following that long overdue maiden success.

Of the others, Templebredin ran well for a long way in the Hunter Chase at Limerick over Christmas, whilst Kilgorey won well at Dowth Hall when getting the better of the potentially re-opposing Beatthebullet.

Race 5 - Germaines Bar & Restaurant Baltinglass 7yo+ Mares Maiden

RACHELS SURPRISE is a well bred mare that is out of a half-sister to former Irish National winner Glebe Lad and she put up a big effort to finish second at Ballindenisk in a race that produced Truckers Angel, a winner last weekend to give the form a timely boost. She sets the standard in this.

Lady Violet has seemed to lose her way somewhat since finishing second at Loughrea in October, and so the main opposition could come from Kopolov who made her debut against geldings in Lingstown, whilst Awesome Lady twice went close last season, and signalled that she was coming back to form when fourth at Mainstown last time.

Race 6 - Sheridan-Colohan Insurances 7yo+ Geldings Maiden

This has a wide open look to it and could provide an opportunity for HANDY HEADON, who although not having run since last years Punchestown Festival, did finish a close third at Monksgrange to Oscar Academy, who was a 25/1 winner on the track over Christmas for Olly Murphy. If fit for his re-appearance, he may be the one to side with.

Both Tippinawaynow and Crio Cuervos have struggled to recapture their best this season, leaving Briggities Hill, Mr Cosmos and the less exposed, One For The Yard, as others for the shortlist.