KILKENNY SURE TO WELCOME BIG CROWD

Ian Fortune

As has become the norm, Kilkenny will host a benefit this evening and a big crowd is expected through the stiles ahead of the ten-race card.

The feature action on the track is the final of the Split The Pot @ Kilkenny Track A3 525, while the opening round of the Blackstone Kennels A4 525 should also provide some good racing.

JOHNJOE READY TO SCORE

Da Bould Johnjoe comes into the final of the A3 525 in tremendous form, winning three of his last four starts and both his outings in the preliminary rounds.

The Mick English trained son of Grangeview Ten posted 29.23 in the semi-final, going some eight spots faster than the other semi-final winner Bricken Sober.

The last named stands out as an obvious threat but faces a tricky draw in five and needs to come away racing to get first run on Da Bould Johnjoe, who is drawn on his immediate inside in four. Others of note include Kilgraney Wish, who looks a potential pace-setter in two. Da Bould Johnjoe gets the nod but needs to come away on terms to put himself in a position to strike down the back straight.