Grand Partner in winning action at Ballinrobe© Photo Healy Racing
McCarthy Insurance Group sponsor the card at Cork this afternoon where the 26,000 euro Gerardine McCarthy Memorial Handicap Hurdle takes centre stage and has attracted 12 runners.
Eamonn O'Connell 's recent Clonmel winner Admiral Brian lines up under a 6lb rise for that December win, while Indian Monsoon Knockraha Pylon Goulane Davina and Winter Breeze are also in the shake-up.
However, preference is for top weight Grand Partner who ran a cracker when third in the Grade B Tara Hurdle at Navan last month and a reproduction of that effort would see the 10-year-old very much involved at the business end.
Racing begins with the McCarthy Insurance Group Rated Novice Hurdle, in which the Austin Leahy-trained Wait Here can continue his rise through the ranks following a good runner-up effort at Limerick over Christmas.
Prior to that, the son of Presenting had won his maiden hurdle at Tramore and another rated hurdle at Limerick and can again compete from his 110 rating.
Champion Trainer Willie Mullins sends two runners to the fixture and has solid claims with Livelovelaugh in the McCarthy Insurance Group Beginners Chase, while in the concluding McCarthy Insurance Group Bumper he introduces Squadron Commander who was a 56,000 euro purchase as a three-year-old and is also likely to figure prominently on debut.
