Lieutenant Colonel (right) is beaten by Jezki at Leopardstown last time© Photo Healy Racing
Lieutenant Colonel and Karalee do battle again in the UCC Horse Racing Society Hurdle at Cork this afternoon.
The Gordon Elliott-trained Lieutenant Colonel was a dual Grade One winner in his pomp but that was quite some time ago, although he has done well to fill the runner-up berth in the Boyne Hurdle and a Leopardstown contest won by Jezki of late.
Willie Mullins' Karalee was only a head behind him in third on the most recent of those outings, a performance which signalled a return to something like her best following a poor start to the campaign.
The field is completed by Jaime Sommers and Knockraha Pylon
Elliott and Mullins also lock horns in the UCC Goes Racing Maiden Hurdle courtesy of Last Minute Man and Antey respectively.
Last Minute Man hasn't been seen since making a successful debut in a Down Royal bumper in January of last year, whereas Antey has had three runs since Christmas and went close at Navan last month.
Elliott will be hoping to get the day off to a flyer with Azua Emery in the CITSU Fillies Maiden Hurdle.
The four-year-old has been costly to follow but now has cheekpieces fitted as she tackles the Tom Mullins-trained Cristal Icon who wasn't beaten all that far in Grade Three company at Fairyhouse. Mary Frances absolutely destroyed her Thurles rivals a couple of weeks ago and attempts to defy a 12lb hike in the UCC Don't Step On The Crest Handicap Hurdle. Danse Away has had even less time to recover from his most recent exertions, and Tuesday's Clonmel scorer has a 6lb penalty to contend with in the CIT Cream Of The Crop (Q.R.) Handicap Hurdle. Pound A Stroke was third at Wexford last weekend and reappears in the CIT Raise And Give Handicap Hurdle, while Elliott's Punchestown runner-up Black Tears looks the one to beat in the Racing Home For Easter Festival Mares (Ladies Pro/Am) Flat Race.
