One Cool Poet out to keep remarkable story going in valuable Petingo Handicap

2.30 LeopardstownIrish Stallion Farms EBF "Petingo" Handicap | 1m5f, 3yo+ | RTV/RTE

Few horses have redeemed themselves as quickly as One Cool Poet. In no more than a week at this year's Galway festival, Matthew Smith's seven-year-old went from talented rogue to something of a phenomenon after a trio of successes, each more impressive than the last.

A memorable week in the west saw One Cool Poet climb from a mark of 66 to 90, earning himself a crack at this €150,000 pot.

Victory would be a career highlight for Smith, one of Ireland's up-and-coming trainers, and the Meath man says there are positive signs.

He said: "I haven't had time to get nervous. I suppose I'll be nervous on the day, but we're looking forward to the race with him.

"We gave him some time off after Galway. We were going to give him two weeks off, but he was so well in himself that we brought him back in after ten days.

"He's been really well in himself and deserves to take his chance in a race like this after Galway. I hope he's still improving."

Billy Lee has been instrumental in One Cool Poet’s sudden rise and Smith revealed the rider will not be tied down to instructions.

He added: “If there's a strong pace on it'll suit him as we know he has a turn of foot. I'll leave tactics to Billy Lee – he doesn't need me telling him what to do.”

Jumps trainers have a good record in this race, with Willie Mullins responsible for the last two winners – Laws Of Spin and Limini – and Tony Martin landing the prize in 2016 with Quick Jack.

Mullins is represented this time by Buildmeupbuttercup and Nessun Dorma, while Martin runs Share The Honour.

What they say

Willie Mullins, trainer of Buildmeupbuttercup and Nessun Dorma
We haven’t fared too well on the draw front with either of them. In saying that, Buildmeupbuttercup is in great shape and has really progressed. I’m very happy with her. It’s going to be hard for Nessun Dorma out in stall 17 and he hasn’t run in 314 days. Both will like the ground and we’re hoping for the best.

Mark Fahey, trainer of Edification
He's done nothing but improve and deserves to take his chance. If he comes out of the stalls well and goes with them he has a chance and a strong pace would suit him. We're going to go there and enjoy the day. We're hopeful of a nice run.

Tony Martin, trainer of Share The Honour
He had a very good run at Galway but was a bit disappointing at the Curragh. He seems to be in good form and we're prepared to put a line through that last run. We're hopeful of a good run.

Katy Brown, trainer of Effernock Fizz
She's got a cracking chance and I couldn't fancy her more. I was praying she got into the race and thank God she did because she's in great form. She's improving the whole time and I think she could be hard to beat.

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