Forces bids to follow-up at Clonmel Impressive Fairyhouse winner Force Of Forces takes a step up in class in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Hurdle at Clonmel on Tuesday. The Willie Mullins-trained gelding blew away his opposition by 19 lengths on his second outing for the yard last month. He faces a stiffer task now and steps up another two furlongs having won over two-and-a-half miles last time. The French-bred has shown marked improvement since joining the ranks at Closutton and connections will be hoping he can continue on an upward curve. The Gordon Elliott-trained Gun Digger looks to set the standard in the race with an official rating of 130. Gigginstown's Stowaway gelding was left to chase home Blow By Blow in Grade 3 company at Thurles last month and that form got a boost at Cheltenham when the winner landed the Martin Pipe Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Hurdle. The former point-to-pointer steps up to two-miles six-furlongs for the first time over timber and looks a major player. High Sparrow has won both his 'track' starts since graduating from point-to-points and he looks another that has to come into calculations in a competitive five-runner contest. Mullins introduces an interesting newcomer in the opener in the shape of Poly Rock. The French-bred makes a belated debut in the two-mile maiden hurdle at the age of seven and wouldn't need to be one of the yard's star performers to make a winning start. He was a relatively cheap buy for the yard when purchased at the Goffs Land Rover Sale in 2014 for €22,000. The consistent Allardyce looks to set the standard of those that have run and has an official mark of 114. The following mares maiden hurdle looks a more competitive event and Awayinthewest will be fancied to get her head in front. She ran a fine race on her return to action when chasing home Lareena at Thurles 12 days ago and a repeat may be enough to make the breakthrough over timber now.
