Students enjoying a day at the races© Photo Healy Racing
The students of UCC and CIT will be out in force for Cork's annual RedFM raceday at the Mallow venue on Thursday.
It is not often the sold-out ticket signs appear at an Irish racecourse so it is sure to be lively around the enclosures for this seven-race National Hunt card which begins at 3pm.
The going will be testing on track following inclement weather over the past week, although Bonbon Au Miel should be able to cope with conditions in the featured UCC Horse Racing Society Hurdle.
The French import made a belated Irish debut at Leopardstown earlier this month, only giving best in the closing stages to the admirable Hidden Cyclone.
Willie Mullins' runner is entitled to progress from that outing, and Ruby Walsh makes the trip south for just the one ride. Flaxen Flare a former winner of the Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle but absent for nearly two years, is an interesting rival in this six-runner affair. Kaiser Black should reward support in the UCC Goes Racing Maiden Hurdle.
Pat Doyle 's charge landed a point-to-point last year, and has been progressing nicely over hurdles including when runner-up to Wishmoor over this 2m4f trip at Leopardstown last time. Leomar is likely to be a warm order in the opening maiden hurdle, while Gordon Elliott has further chances elsewhere on the card with Woodford Island in the handicap hurdle and Back Bar in the bumper.
