AFTER an uncharacteristically dry summer in Ireland, the rain has returned and more is forecast this weekend, much to the dismay of Electric Picnic goers and Bill Farrell.

The Curragh trainer is hoping that the weather forecasters are proven wrong as his stable star State Actor bids to go one better in the Paddy Power Supporting Cancer Trials Ireland Irish Cambridgeshire this afternoon.

“He’s like the Mayo football team; he’s kind of a nearly horse,” Farrell told The Irish Field with a laugh. “He’s in good form going into the race.

“The ground here today was probably good, we’ve had a good, drying day, but there’s heavy ground predicted for tomorrow. I wouldn’t like it to get too soft – his worse run last year was on soft ground at Ascot.”

Working in the five-year-old’s favour is the booking of Dylan Browne McMonagle, who heads into today’s meeting with a three-winner lead in the jockey’s championship. “Dylan has ridden him before, but he’s riding on the top of his form,” Farrell commented.

“The Curragh suits him and it’s only down the street from us. I could give you a million reasons why he won’t perform, but hopefully he’ll give a good account of himself.”

Rain dance

Gary and Sharon Davis’ homebred was sent off favourite 12 months ago, only to be headed in the shadow of the post by the Joseph O’Brien-trained Wigmore Street. The third and fourth horses, Independent Expert and Couer d’Or, are among those reopposing today, along with Ger Keane’s progressive charge Genuine Article.

Owned by the Wear A Pink Ribbon Syndicate, like Crystal Black, the Muhaarar gelding produced an improved effort at Galway last month, showing his appreciation for the soft surface with a three-length win. “He came out of Galway well and he’s in good form,” Keane reported. “We’re delighted to see the rain coming for him because an ease in the ground is probably the key to him.”

The five-year-old went up 10lb for the win – 5lb more than what he carried in mid-division in last year’s race, but Keane is optimistic he’ll justify his new mark. “We’re hoping he is [up to it].

“He came down a bit last year after being a bit disappointing. He was impressive enough in Galway; he’s a better horse with an ease in the ground.”