NATIONAL HERO IN ACTION AT TIPPERARY Monty´s Pass is switched to hurdles in a warm-up for next week´s Kerry National when taking in the two and a half miles novice hurdle at Tipperary tomorrow afternoon, the highlight of an eight race card beginning at 2.30.Jimmy Mangan´s Aintree hero faces a stern test against five rivals including Naas winner Alpha Rhythm who will be ridden by Barry Geraghty. John Allen claims 7lb aboard Monty´s Pass, while the Edward O´Grady-trained Kickham is likely to start favourite after finishing a creditable seventh in the Galway Hurdle.Corrib Boy shaped well on his first hurdle start when runner-up to Bermaho at Roscommon, and can go one better in the three-year-old maiden. There are 15 declared for the other hurdle race on the afternoon - two and a half miles handicap - where Flagship Queen may follow up a recent win at Kilbeggan.The Flat section is dominated by two-year-olds, and Blue Crush is taken to follow up last month´s course and distance success in the five furlong nursery.Newcomers Mikado and Opera Comique from the Aidan O´Brien and John Oxx stables respectively stand out in the nine furlong juvenile maiden where just five got to post, while Ballydoyle´s Cornwall looks the answer to the seven furlong event following a promising debut at the Curragh.
