Layla bids for compensation over fences Gordon Elliott's Layla Joan suffered a double dose of misfortune on her last two outings over hurdles and switches to fences for the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Beginners Chase at Kilbeggan on Friday. Having looked an above-average recruit when winning at Fairyhouse and Ayr twice, the six-year-old unseated Paul Carberry early on at Doncaster when tackling Annie Power and she did not get much further last time out back at Fairyhouse in Grade One company. That is hardly a ringing endorsement for her chances here, but she is sure to have been well schooled and, with a clear round, should prove a class apart. Given she has a win in a point-to-point to her credit already, this could well be the game for her. Her trainer Gordon Elliott also moves Hold Em Cowboy back to the bigger obstacles, although he tackles a competitive Sean Hughes Memorial Mullingar Park Hotel Handicap Chase, with recent Tramore winner Aces And Kings among the opposition. Macnicholson has proved frustrating of late but there will be plenty who keep the faith in the Follow Kilbeggan On Twitter Maiden Hurdle. Jessie Harrington's gelding has earned a rating of 116 with seconds at Thurles twice and Navan, and that just about sets the standard. The twilight fixture gets under way at 4.50 with the Follow Kilbeggan On Facebook Maiden Hurdle, in which Rudolf reappears after a brief let-up, having contested more competitive maidens through the winter. His trainer Dessie Hughes is also responsible for Swiftmarc, who attempts to supplement a Clonmel chasing success over the smaller obstacles in the Moate Handicap Hurdle. He gets to compete off 5lb lower than his revised fencing figure, but he has plenty to fear from Roman Numeral, who struck at Tramore recently. Jim Bowie was placed at the Scottish national meeting at Ayr and now tops the weights for the Greville Arms Hotel Handicap Hurdle.
