Flindt out to topple Tombstone for Love

6.05 KilbegganJoe Cooney Memorial Hurdle | 2m4f | 4yo+ | RTV

Gordon Elliott's eight-time winner Tombstone, who finished third in the Grade 1 Ryanair Hurdle at Leopardstown last Christmas, may be the best horse on show at Kilbeggan but Ciaran Murphy, assistant to local handler Dot Love, is hopeful of turning over the likely favourite with Flindt.

A previous course winner, Flindt didn't handle the ground at the Galway festival according to Murphy, who believes the forecast rain should bring the four-year-old into the mix.

Murphy said: "We put a line through his Galway run because of the ground – I actually didn't realise it was as quick as it was – but everything should be in his favour here. He likes the track and the rain that's falling will help.

"It's a decent race and we're hoping to get back on track with him. Hopefully he'll be bang there in the frame."

Tombstone comes here off the back of a no-show in the Galway Hurdle but is fitted with first-time cheekpieces and connections have opted to use Fergus Gregory, who claims a handy 5lb off the 138-rated hurdler’s back.

Elliott is also represented by Westland Row, a recent beginners chase winner at the track, while Henry de Bromhead’s Conrad Hastings, who has also struck twice here, is reverting to hurdles following a poor display over fences at Wexford.

Drumcliff, a late absentee from the Galway Plate last week due to a temperature, will have his first run since picking up an injury in that race last summer and makes his stable debut for new trainer Aidan Howard.

Speaking about his chances, Frank Berry, racing manager to JP McManus, said: "He got a bad injury in the Galway Plate last year and this is his first run back. We'd be hoping for a nice clear round and that he comes back safe and sound. It's a nice starting point for him."

Flirting Lesa is likely to go off the outsider of the six but her trainer Patrick Hayes, brother to Flat jockey Chris, has warned against dismissing his runner.

He said: "I genuinely think she'll run a big race. If she gets to the front she could be hard to pass. She didn't break well enough on the Flat but she's very well and if she doesn't win, I'd be disappointed if she wasn't second or third."

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