DUNDRUM SHOULDN'T MISS A BEAT; IRISH RACING NEWS.

Byline: PETER O'HEHIR

THE progressive Dundrum makes plenty of appeal in the Mullinavat Hurdle at Gowran Park this evening.

This Jessica Harringtontrained five-year-old has pretty modest form on the flat. But he has displayed encouraging signs of improvement over hurdles in recent months and, with drying ground in his favour, he's expected to take plenty of beating in this intriguing 'novice' event.

Fourth to Sorceror on his hurdling debut at Punchestown, the Marju gelding then ran creditably, on the same course, against the smart Sports Line, which franked the form when scoring impressively at Naas last month.

Dundrum got off the mark last time, when making all to beat former 'pointer' Johnnyofcourse at Down Royal, when the leading duo pulled 17 lengths clear of the third.

But he looks progressive, will appreciate the better ground and might prove tough to catch.

On a line through Sports Line, Darby's Turn must have prospects, along with Eoin Griffin's The Last Derby, sixth to subsequent Cheltenham winner Go Native at Naas last time. But I'll take a chance with Dundrum.

There is no shortage of runners on a modest card. And Time Electric is napped to open his hurdling account, belatedly, in the Ballyhale Handicap Hurdle.

Succesful in a Leopardstown on his debut, this Tom Mullins-trained gelding has been generally disappointing over hurdles. But he finished a solid second to Zaarito in a Punchestown maiden and, last time, was a close third behind Shirley Casper and Drive On Regardless (a beaten favourite since) in a maiden at Leopardstown.

Off a mark of 115, Time Electric should have a decent chance in this competitivelooking contest, with Pat Fahy's mare My Valley, returning after her winter break, among the possible dangers.

Having fought out the finish to a similar handicap hurdle at Downpatrick on Sunday, locally-trained pair Nazdaq and Azana have obvious claims in the opening Goresbridge Handicap Hurdle.

At the northern venue, Azana came from fifth position on the stiff, uphill climb from the final flight to catch her rival and triumph by a length and a quarter.

Conor O'Farrell partnered Azana on that occasion, claiming a valuable 7lb. but, on this occasion, the young Kilkenny man will be on board Nazdaq, which meets his rival on 6lb. better terms. And Nazdaq might have the edge this time.

The three-mile Gowran Park Golf Spring Team 09 Maiden Hurdle affords the Paul Flynn-trained Danderry a good opportunity to get off the mark after creditable placed effort behind Themoonandsixpence at Fairyhouse and Ten Fires at Naas.

He's expected to confirm recent Naas form with Failte Go Deo, while market moves for Willie Mullins' Jim The Falcon would be significant.

CAPTION(S):

DANGER Pat Fahy's My Valley is one to watch today