COQUIN A CONFIDENT CHOICE TO GET BACK TO WINNING WAYS

CLASS-DROPPING Coquin Mans should return to winning ways in the three-mile Jim Strang & Sons Kilsheelan Hurdle in Clonmel.

The Willie Mullins (above) trained five-year-old, winner of a French bumper before joining the champion trainer, won on his hurdling debut at Limerick’s Christmas meeting last year.

And, after a break, he followed-up when scoring at Wexford and Cork last summer, both over today’s trip of three miles.

Having justified 1/4 favouritism in an amateur riders maiden on the flat at Listowel in September, Coquin Mans has acquitted himself well in Grade 2 events at Tipperary and Down Royal.

He chased home former Champion Hurdler Jezki in the Istabraq at Tipperary and, last time, was no match for his highly-rate stable-companion Melon at Down Royal (inset). The Fragrant Mix gelding is dropping in class today, conceding 10lb to Taglietelle, which is officially rated 11lb inferior and coming into the race on the back of a charity race success in Punchestown. But Coquin Mans is a confident choice.

The Gordon Elliott-trained triple bumper-winner Monbeg Worldwide looks the other class act on today’s card, in the opening Clonmel Maiden Hurdle.

Winner of bumpers in Roscommon, Cork and Naas, this Gigginstown-owned five-year-old lost little in defeat when beaten by Jetz over two and a half miles at

Fairyhouse as he was conceding 8lb to his conqueror.

Back to an extended two miles today, Jack Kennedy’s mount undoubtedly sets the standard and will insure that the race becomes a test of stamina. And the Gigginstown’s second runner Game Of War, in receipt of 13lb – when taking Dylan Robinson’s claim into account – looks the chief threat.

The beginners chase might develop into a battle between Gordon Elliott’s Robin Des Mana, stepping up significantly in trip, and the Henry de Bromhead-trained Monbeg Chit Chat, which bumped into subsequent winner Youcantcallherthat on his fencing bow in Cork.