Tipping / Timeform / 02 February 2012 /

It's off to Clonmel for today's Irish action and Timeform's Irish team come up with three more SmartPlays.....

The opening maiden hurdle over two miles is a race lacking depth. Noble Pageant is the likely favourite after finishing runner-up at Limerick twice before the turn of the year, but both those efforts came at trips in excess of two and a half miles and he has to bounce back from a poor showing at Thurles too, so he looks vulnerable. Alf Wright and Miradane are the obvious alternatives and it's the latter who gets the nod as he probably remains with some untapped potential after just four starts, prominent for a long way when fourth at Tipperary in October then arguably doing too much too soon when sixth at Naas.

The highlight on the card is the listed novice hurdle over two and three quarter miles an hour later, and it looks a well-up-to-scratch renewal. My Murphy has already won a Grade 3 and Knockgraffon King looks open to progression, but Folsom Blue is the one who stands out after his impressive success at Thurles last month, really catching the eye with how he quickened approaching the straight and allowed to coast home for a nine-and-a-half length success. He's totally unexposed at today's type of trip and could develop into a smart sort.

Immediate Response hasn't run since early in 2009/10 and his best form is at further than two miles, but he still looks worth chancing in a run-of-the-mill handicap due off at 15.10. He's well treated on the form he showed for Michael Joseph Fitzgerald when last seen and has since joined the all-conquering Willie Mullins yard, so such a lengthy absence is less of a concern than it would normally be, while it bears repeating that in-form rivals are thin on the ground.

Timeform SmartPlays

Back Miradane in the 13:40
Back Folsom Blue in the 14:40
Back Immediate Response in the 15:10

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