Marinero© Photo Healy Racing
Tramore's August Festival continues today where the opening 20,000 euro EY Chase is the most valuable contest.
Run over two miles and six furlongs, the contest appropriately features a pair of also-rans from last month's Galway Plate, which is also run at this trip. Marinero got no further than the first fence when unseating his rider in the Galway showpiece chase, but was subsequently third over hurdles at Cork while Bentelimar got as far the seventh fence at Galway before blundering his rider out of the saddle.
The pair of eight-year-olds have won 11 races between them but may have some work to do to overhaul Potters Point who was himself in action at Galway when chasing home winner Rathvinden in a novice chase.
The Gigginstown House Stud-owned Potters Point is trained by Gordon Elliott but was formerly in the care of Willie Mullins and Mullins can himself expect success at the Co Waterford venue as he sends out three likely fancies for the level-weights races.
His Sharps Choice has been knocking on the door of late and again tries his case in the Olde Forge Maiden Hurdle, while stablemate and ex-British flat racer Contingency makes his jumping debut in the Hibernian Hotel (Mares) Maiden Hurdle.
The day concludes with the Brennan´s Pharmacy INH Bumper where Mullins' Crumpledandcreased twice a beaten favourite, will be expected to make it third-time lucky and can win at the expense of the Robbie McNamara-trained Dasmyhoss who bids to overcome a 147-day absence and return to the form he showed when chasing home Cheltenham Bumper runner-up Debuchet on debut in January.
