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Carrig & Bally set for Ballinrobe clash
Ballychorus is one of three horses declared for the feature contest
© Photo Healy Racing
Only three go to post for the Eamon Sheridan Plant Hire Chase at Ballinrobe and two of the contenders are bidding for a hat-trick.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained Carriganog looks the one they have to beat in the two-mile-seven-furlong event as he returns to the larger obstacles after picking up a conditions race over hurdles at Kilbeggan last month.
He had also opened his account over fences at the same track in good style the previous month and looks to have found a nice opportunity to add to his haul.
The JP McManus-owned gelding was pulled out of a event on the opening day of Listowel because of very testing conditions but has handled soft ground in the past.
His main rival looks to be the mare Ballychorus who is aiming for a third win on the bounce.
Her two most recent runs have come in conditions hurdles but she was good winner when last seen over fences at Down Royal in May.
Judged on her hurdles rating she would have a few pounds to find with Carriganog but Mags Mullins' charge looks open to improvement over fences. Clar Na Mionn completes the trio but looks to have it all to do judged on recent form.
McManus also has a strong hand in a competitive looking Hollymount Nursing Home Beginners Chase.
He has four running in his colours and first jockey Barry Geraghty partners the Dermot Weld-trained Waaheb
The eight-year-old should have learned plenty from a couple of outings over fences at Galway and comes into the race off the back of a confidence boosting success over timber at Roscommon. Art Of Payroll who contested some hot beginners' chases last winter, could be a danger on his return to action.
Earlier on the card Balofilo an impressive winner at Listowel on Sunday, turns out again quickly under a 5lb penalty in the Killeen Sports Grounds Handicap Hurdle.
She gave trained Martin Cullinane his first winner in over 14 months when winning in Kerry and the Athenry handler will be hoping it is a short wait for his next success.