Review TIPPERARY 20TH APR

Edward O'Grady is already eyeing up the 2007 Royal & SunAlliance Novice Hurdle for Catch Me after the German import made it two Flat wins from as many starts for new connections.

The 1/2 favourite was sent to the front early in the straight by John Murtagh in the 1m6f conditions race, and was gently pushed out to beat Menwaal by 4 1/2L.

'If he has another run it will be in the Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan. This is all a bonus as I think he's a SunAlliance horse,' said O'Grady, who reports that the four-year-old already jumps well.

Little White Lie and Snaefell dominated the market for the two-year-old maiden, and the latter looked sure to make a winning debut when going two lengths clear just 100 yards out.

However the race changed dramatically in the closing stages as Little White Lie, runner-up here last week, rallied strongly under Tadgh O'Shea to get up for a neck verdict.

Trainer Ger Lyons is away at the breeze-up sale in Newmarket but his brother Shane said, 'You can't beat a run, and he's a real battler who should be better over a longer trip.'

Queen Of Rap, a wide margin winner on her debut here last Thursday, justified odds of 1/4 when following up in convincing style for Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen in the 7f winners race.

The Moyglare Stud home-bred made most of the running, and kept on well inside the final quarter mile to beat Nerys by four lengths.

Moyglare representative Jimmy Feane said, 'She is an improving filly and really loves that soft ground.

Joanna Morgan has her string in good form, and Luckyvera added to her tally when leading over a furlong out under Kevin Manning to beat The Crunch by a length and a half in the 7f handicap.

'She's very consistent and was caught on the fence last time at Cork and had nowhere to go. She needs a mile but I felt it would be testing enough on that ground,' said Ms. Morgan.

Baileysunice, trained by Seamus Fahey, ridden by his brother Peter and owned by their sister Majella, quickened up well on the extended run-in (the final hurdle was omitted) to take the maiden hurdle.

'If she comes out of this well then we may look for something at Punchestown,' said the Monasterevin trainer.

Joan's Girl also showed a nice turn of foot after the last under Kevin Coleman in the handicap hurdle, going on to beat Molly Tee by a length and a half.

Favourite backers got back on track in the bumper where Askthemaster led a furlong out for Johnny McGrath to beat Guess Who's Back by five lengths.

Alan Magee