Jaime Sommers (in second)© Photo Healy Racing
Jaime Sommers bids to end a run of second-placed finishes when she contests the Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle, the feature event at Kilbeggan on Friday.
The Michael Bowe-trained mare found one too good on all three starts last month, including here on her penultimate outing, and this previous course winner looks set to play another leading role. Lucky Pat also has winning form over this track and trip and is likely to have his supporters along with My Direction who shaped like his turn may be near when picking up a silver medal at Tramore last month.
Gordon Elliott is represented by Water Sprite who was brought down when attempting to follow up her recent Tramore victory last week.
Elliott has a good chance of landing the Midland Breeders Supporting Kilbeggan Beginners Chase courtesy of Penny Jane who chased home a more experienced rival on her debut over fences.
There is a decent pot up for grabs in the Like Kilbeggan On Facebook Handicap Chase and Net D'Ecosse could land it under top weight.
Noel Meade 's seven-year-old was a good third in the Midlands National over this course and distance in July and may have too much for the likes of previous track winners Rock On Fruity and Supreme Vinnie.
Meade will be hoping his Lex Talionis can improve on his debut seventh in the Pat Doyle Memorial Maiden Hurdle, but Joseph O'Brien's Felix Mendelssohn is likely to be all the rage following a close third at Bellewstown eight days ago.
Action gets underway at 4.20 with the Summer Party Pack Discount Group Booking Opportunity Maiden Hurdle, in which Chateauneuf Du Pap attempts to gain compensation for a near-miss at Tramore last month, while Willie Mullins takes the wraps off Jonnigraig in the concluding September 8th Celebration Race Meeting (Pro/Am) Flat Race. The Trigger missed out on a hat-trick by the narrowest of margins here last time and is expected to be in the firing line again in the Denis & Eithne Coyne Memorial Race Handicap Hurdle.
