At Kilbeggan`s last meeting which saw all course records shattered, no one in the 12,000 attendance found it possible to nominate the 12 to 1 first leg and the three subsequent 8 to 1 chances which comprised the Jackpot.
In consequence, there is a carry-over in excess of #12,000 to this evening`s Jackpot and I can vouch for the fact that a carryover is more meaningful for a serious jackpotter than any Tote guarantee, no matter how large.
One of the Jackpot-quartet was Scallybuck who beat the subsequent Galway winner River Cora to take the Elan Midlands National. He has been performing with fine consistency over fences, reaching the first three in his last eight runs.
His target is the first leg of tonight`s jackpot, the Genesis Fine Arts-sponsored Handicap Hurdle and this poses a very different problem in that Scallybuck has never yet won over hurdles.
This reveals itself in the mindset of the handicapper who gives Scallybuck a rating of 103 over fences and only 76 over hurdles. It will be a plus though that he is a double-course winner and a proven stayer who will get every yard of the three miles.
His rider Paul Carberry could start the night with a winner in the shape of Young Whack (530) while Michael Hourigan could also get a boost with Discerning Air (6-0) in the second event on the card.
Young Whack came so very close to winning a maiden hurdle at the Fairyhouse Easter meeting. Carberry made plenty of use of him and this tactic looked like paying off when he went clear between the last two flights.
However he tied up on the run-in, but it was still very close to the line that first Berkeley Run and then Bay Magic pounced.
The photo showed a short-head and a neck between them with Berkeley Run winning and Young Whack actually only third.
Discerning Air takes on a more modest collection of maidens in the mares race and she ran up to her mark at Galway when fifth to Ansar, who won again on the flat laterin the week.
The one serious cause for concern in the line-up is Renvyle Rose. She tailed-off last on the flat at The Curragh, but did run well over hurdles at Naas at the beginning of the year when placed to Topacio.
Anyone who specialises in betting in running would have burnt their fingers in the Jockeys Beginners Chase at Galway on Saturday.
After Khairabar had blundered in the dip, 10 to 1 on would have looked a generous quote for Misty Moments who was pipped on the post by the coming again favourite who showed the sort of resolve that not even his greatest fan would credit him with.
The actual verdict flatters the loser, but even making due allowance he looks a bet in the Innkeepers Beginners Chase.
Merry Minstrel had Man Friday and An Tain Shioc behind over this distance at Wexford when second best to O So Blue and could confirm that running in the Joe Cooney Memorial Chase.
