It might be a late, late show from Ollimar at Fairyhouse today, but his head should show in front at the finishing post of the Normans Grove Chase.
Ollimar's view on excessive daylight seems to verge on Dracula's, a point that punters witnessed to their horror over Christmas.
Travelling beautifully throughout, Ollimar trailed his veteran stable companion, Merry Gale, to the last and then seemed set to scoot away for an easy win. Instead, once he hit the front on the run in, Ollimar appeared to think his job was done and Merry Gale fought back to beat him by a length and a half.
Afterwards, Jim Dreaper was understandably thrilled with Merry Gale but conceded he thought Ollimar would have beaten him easily if Tommy Treacy had held on to Ollimar a little longer.
As a result, there is likely to be no more patient jockey at Fairyhouse today than Treacy and the race could pan out perfectly for him.
The former champion chaser, Klairon Davis, is still the highest rated in the race on 145 but it's been some time since we've seen the best of him; while the former Irish National runner-up Papillon is one of several candidates that could grind out the pace.
If that happens and Ollimar travels to the last with the principals in his sights, expect just one result.
Arthur Moore supplies the big equine name of the day in Klairon Davis but it's his runner in the bumper that can provide him with a winner.
The Naas trainer runs Hamac 11 against some very decent looking horses, such as the Leopardstown bumpers runnersup, Tempting Touch and Punter's Friend. Both are highly regarded but there was a lot to like about Hamac's run over hurdles when third to Darialann and stable companion Hot Shots at Punchestown.
Racing opens with a maiden hurdle, which has The GlowWorm bidding to improve again on a third to Lawz and Minella Hotel over the course earlier this month. The former high class Flat racer is an obvious contender but slight preference is for The Next Step, who was a 20 to 1 shot when third to the smart Parkgate over this course last time.
With Aonfocaleile representing the O'Grady yard and Sackville coming from Frances Crowley's stable, Liscahill Hill could be a touch of value in the latest of the novice hurdle series.
The Cork and Down Royal winner ran a perfectly respectable third to Youlneverwalkalone and Parkgate at Leopardstown over Christmas and should be suited by the half mile hike in trip this afternoon.
