CODD EYES A CHARE OF THE GLORY

LACHARES should do the business for champion amateur Jamie Cod and in-form trainer Ellmarie Holden in this evening’s finale in Clonmel – the Knockanrawley Maiden. After a titanic tussle with nine-time champion Patrick Mullins, Codd was crowned champion for the first time in Punchestown on Saturday while Holden, inset, could hardly have her string in better shape, having saddled three winners this week. And, turning her attention to the flat, Holden should enjoy further success with Lachares, which ran three times on the level in France before joining his current handler, for who he has won twice over hurdles, in Gowran Park and Limerick. Last time, Lachares, a four-year-old Manduro gelding, finished third to Conduct Yourself, on his handicap debut in Cork, when racing off 125. Rated 75 on the flat, he should be very tough to beat in this company. Earlier, Specific Gravity, trained by Adrian Mcguinness is difficult to oppose in the St Patrick’s Well Claiming Race. And, Aurora Butterfly, from the in-form Willie Mccreery stable, should open her account in the four-runner median auction fillies maiden. This Born To Sea filly was pipped by Bengala on her debut at Leopardstown early last month and was far from disgraced when, stepped up into listed company, she finished fifth to Vociferous Marina in Navan’s Salsabil Stakes. Dropping in class, she should score, at a short price. The featured Tipperary Cup affords Colin Kidd’s versatile gelding Rashaan a good opportunity to return to the winning enclosure while the Joseph O’brien-trained Ligeti, successful twice and then runner-up three times on Dundalk’s polytrack this spring, might make a successful transition to the turf in the Supporters Club Evening May 18th Handicap.