Carrigmoorna Rock winning a Grade 3 over hurdles at Leopardstown© Photo Healy Racing
The chasing debut of talented mare Carrigmoorna Rock will be the focus of much attention at Clonmel on Thursday.
Robert Tyner 's graded hurdler faces five rivals in the Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Mares Beginners Chase.
Carrigmoorna Rock lost her way somewhat over flights last term, but there was merit in her comeback fifth placing at Gowran earlier this month.
Phillip Enright 's mount faces no easy task on her chasing bow, but does have some experience over the larger obstacles having landed a point-to-point earlier in her career.
She also has the advantage of being a previous victor around Clonmel, winning her maiden hurdle over two and a half miles at the County Tipperary venue in May of last year. Emcon is another noteworthy first-timer at this game and a actually finished in front of Carrigmoorna Rock when they ran behind Daisy's Gift nearly four weeks ago. Gambling Girl is the one to aim at on her achievements in this sphere already. She split two decent geldings - King Of The Picts and A Sizing Network - when second at Fairyhouse 19 days ago.
The other three participants, Aunt Nora Missyspet and Queens Wild are all useful mares in their own right, so an informative event is in prospect.
Pat Fahy, trainer of Aunt Nora, had a double at the last meeting here at Powerstown Park. One of his winners from October 1, Ten Times Better goes into battle in the Cahir Mares Maiden Hurdle.
Ten Times Better won a bumper at the sixth attempt under Katie Walsh last time. Her brother Ruby takes the reins on the well-related chestnut now and she's said to have schooled well.
Half-an-hour later Leighlinbridge-based Fahy has a definite chance again, with the Danny Mullins-partnered Tongie in the Cashel Maiden Hurdle.
Elsewhere, former Eider Chase hero Portrait King has his first outing for the Pat Griffin stable in the www.grahamnorris.com Memorial Handicap Hurdle at 2.55. Fever Pitch bids to win the Download The At The Races App Chase for the second year in succession.
