Rashaan aims for Tipperary Cup hat-trick Rashaan returns to Clonmel on Thursday in a bid to land a third Quirke uPVC Windows Tipperary Cup. Trainer Colin Kidd will be hoping his stable stalwart can rediscover the winning trail in the 17,500 euro contest, having struggled to land a telling blow in better company on his last few starts. Already a 12-times winner, the Aga Khan-bred gelding was noted for his doggedness and determination in gaining many of those wins — but unfortunately he has not shown the same zest for racing this season. The seven-year-old refused to race in the Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse in December and has since been well beaten on the Flat at Dundalk and, most recently, in the Red Mills Trial Hurdle at Gowran Park. He faces only four rivals on his return to the level, but does not face an easy task as he must concede weight all round. Perhaps the one to beat is the Charles Byrnes-trained Waterville Dancer, who makes his first appearance since winning the Ulster Cesarewitch at Down Royal last September. He is a proven stayer on the Flat and will relish the trip of two miles and one furlong. An very interesting runner in the Clonmel Og Family Evening Handicap is the Michael O’Callaghan-trained Divine Approach — who might be capable of making a winning return from a 202-day absence. The four-year-old has been off the track since her rout in a 19-runner handicap at Navan in September and while raised 17lb for that easy win, she might have more room for progression this year — given her excellent pedigree. Divine Approach is a half-sister to triple Melbourne Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux, who also won a Group One, and could in time comfortably progress beyond her current rating of 78. The concluding Next Evening Meeting May 16th Handicap could go the way of Jessica Harrington’s Conron — a useful hurdler who looks capable of defying top-weight and his mark of just 65 on the Flat.
