Johnny Ward: Dempsey runner "hugely appealing" at Cork

It's a relatively quiet weekend on the jumps front in Ireland after the top-notch quality of Christmas at Leopardstown and Naas last weekend.

Trainers are probably quite relieved that rain has belatedly come and the bizarre predicament of conditions being deemed too fast by some trainers at Leopardstown in December is fading to memory.

This is a trappy card at Cork but this bet stands out a mile. Be lucky.

2.28 Cork: Fou Diligence

It is really encouraging that Philip Dempsey's handicap chasers are in form, Fighting Fifth backed off the boards on Sunday and winning a decent race easily at Naas.

Fou Diligence is hugely appealing. He didn't exactly jump off the page at the same venue in December but in a 17-runner race was sent off favourite. He was beaten 18 lengths but the all-the-way winner, Brandy Harbour, was chucked in.

Fou Diligence was very much off the bridle turning in and it was remarkable that he finished third. Moreover, he edged right at his fences. As such, both the track and this trip should suit greatly.