Preview CLONMEL 31ST MAY Direct Bearing appeals as the best bet on a tricky seven-race card at Clonmel on Thursday, where the first is due off at 5.30.Dermot Weld's four year-old has made just one racecourse appearance to date, landing a Fairyhouse bumper by the narrowest of margins back in January.A heavily supported favourite on that occasion, Direct Bearing certainly does not appear to have been overfaced for this debut under flat rules and can see off Masilia, who looks the only possible danger. Mandal Manor didn't go unbacked when stepping up on previous from to score at Roscommon last week, and can follow up in the 2m handicap hurdle.Mick Halford's gelding is less exposed than the majority of his rivals, handles good ground well, and is expected to make it back-to-back victories.The increasingly unreliable Darapour seems to have a straightforward task in the 2m4f hurdle, but punters are unlikely to be rushing in at short odds after his disappointing effort last time.
