Bunyan hopes Grey Danube can spark extra celebrations

8.30 Dundalk
Crowne Plaza Leading Jockey & Trainer Awards 2016 Handicap | 6f | 3yo+ | ATR

Win, lose or draw this will be the happiest day of Darren Bunyan's life but you sense it will be made that extra bit special if his stable star Grey Danube can register an eighth career success.

The young Curragh-based trainer is getting married this afternoon so he will not be at Dundalk to watch his most prized possession strut his stuff, but the celebrations will surely crank up a notch should the seven-year-old prove successful.

Grey Danube has not been seen since the middle of April, so is returning from a 242-day absence, but he is chasing a hat-trick having won this race after an even longer lay-off last year and also landing it in 2014.

Oneoveryou bids for back-to-back wins having caused an upset at 28-1 over five furlongs earlier this month but his trainer, Stephen Mahon, is not one bit concerned by the longer distance and believes the booking of Danny Sheehy, who takes off a very valuable 7lb, is a big bonus.

Five-furlong specialist

All six of Chiclet's wins have come over the minimum trip of five furlongs and this will be her first try over six furlongs plus since September 2014.

What they say

Tracey Collins, trainer of Chiclet
She is running over six as there are no races for her over five. It is as simple as that. It is a bit of a joke really that there aren't more sprints over five. In saying that, if she does happen to stay, we will look at the big sprint on Good Friday at Lingfield for her. She is in good form and Pat [Smullen] will ride her whatever way he sees it.

Darren Bunyan, trainer of Grey Danube
He seems in good form but he was a bit disappointing at the back end of last year. I think he is coming back to himself and I am happy with him so we're hopeful.

Garvan Donnelly, trainer of Plough Boy
He is not short of pace and we are taking a chance dropping in trip. There is not much else for him really so we said that we have nothing to lose by letting him take his chance.

Stephen Mahon, trainer of Oneoveryou
I don't think the extra furlong will be a problem. She was very tough last time over five and she kept going. She is very relaxed so six should be fine for her. The jockey's claim will be a big bonus and she only has a featherweight so I think she will go close again, especially since she has a nice draw in stall six.