Lavandiere bids to follow up at Clonmel Une Lavandiere will bid to follow up on her recent success at Listowel when she lines up in the feature at Clonmel on Thursday, the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Captain Christy Rated Novice Chase. The Noel Meade-trained seven-year-old will relish the likely testing conditions here and she can be expected to go close with Sean Flanagan in the saddle. Sir Abbot is perhaps her biggest danger. He ran well to finish second on his return to action at Kilbeggan earlier this month and there should be more to come from the son of Mozorov. Na Trachtalai Abu is a likeable sort and he is another for the shortlist, along with Burndown and A Sizing Network. Henry De Bromhead trains Burndown, and he looks to have strong claims with Diego Manchengo in the opening Laganore Maiden Hurdle. The son of Kalanisi went down by just a short head to Successor at Wexford on his last start and he might be able to go one place better now with Andrew Lynch again in the plate. De Bromhead again saddles a leading contender in the shape of Arvico Bleu in the Kilmore Maiden Hurdle. This Gigginstown House Stud-owned gelding has some solid form to his name and he looks the one to beat in this two-mile contest. De Bromhead is represented by Moroval and Storm Racer in the Thorney Bridge Novice Handicap Hurdle, but they may have to settle for minor honours, with Our Rachael, Brontide and Successor the more obvious contenders. Ruby Walsh will be aboard Brontide, and he gets the leg up on Small World in the three-mile Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Hurdle. This Peter Fahey-trained six-year-old was successful on his penultimate start at Downpatrick, going down by just a nose on his most recent effort over the course and distance. Jack The Hat also filled the runner-up spot on his last visit to Clonmel and he now lines-up in the Tickincor Handicap Chase. The 12-year-old gelding should give a good account of himself here, with Magnetic Force, Hard Bought, Mount Brandon, and Templemichael others for the shortlist. The concluding Clonmel Flat Race is another competitive affair, with Allardyce, Rakhine State and newcomers Our Ella Bella and Stephaine Sunshine the ones to focus on here.
