1.05 PADDY POWER BETTING SHOPS MAIDEN HURDLE 2M
Shady Operator can build on his pleasing jumping debut at Punchestown last month when he finished a 4l second to the talented Cracking Smart in a 2m4f maiden. That represented a fine effort on his first outing since he made a winning debut in a Limerick bumper last March. He should have no trouble coming back to this trip.
Daybreak Boy is a very interesting recruit to jumping. He was a useful type on the flat and showed up well to be beaten less than 3l in a Limerick stakes race last month. He could make up into a smart jumper. In an interesting maiden, the likes of Sir Carno and Castlebrook, who impressed on his pointing debut last February, are others to keep an eye on.
Selection: SHADY OPERATOR
Next best: Daybreak Boy
1.40 PADDY POWER ACCA INSURANCE IRISH EBF NOVICE HURDLE (LISTED) 3M
He is taking a significant step up in class from last month’s maiden hurdle win at Punchestown but Cracking Smart, a wide-margin bumper winner at Fairyhouse last season, could be equal to the task. As mentioned above, he got off the mark on his return to action at Punchestown when accounting for Shady Operator. His effort that day was characterised by some very slick jumping and he gave the impression that he would relish moving up in trip.
Interestingly, Ruby Walsh sticks with Fabulous Saga who was beaten 7l by stablemate Robin Des Foret when they clashed at Limerick last month. Fabulous Saga had previously enjoyed a pair of wide-margin triumphs in his first two runs over hurdles. The admirable Robin Des Foret, a five-time winner since April, sets a good standard with a rating of 142.
Selection: CRACKING SMART
Next best: Fabulous Saga
2.10 PADDY POWER EXTRA PLACES EVERYDAY HANDICAP HURDLE (80-116) 2M 4F
Broder can follow up last month’s victory over 2m at this track. He should enjoy the longer trip of today’s race and he is just 5lbs higher in the ratings as a result of that ½l victory over He’s Our Man. He might just have had more to spare than the winning margin would suggest last time and he is a confident choice.
Top-weight Granny Biddy is in excellent heart having won three of her last four races and she was a good winner over Hollow Tree at this track last month. Her last four runs have seen her creep up some 26lbs in the ratings. Bye Bye O Bye is another to keep in mind after showing signs of a return to form last time.
Selection: BRODER
Next best: Granny Biddy
2.40 PADDY POWER TRACK MY BET IRISH EBF NOVICE CHASE (GRADE 3) 2M 4F
A chance is taken on Bamako Moriviere. This decent hurdler was finally set to open his account over fences at Listowel only to fall at the final fence but compensation awaited at Fairyhouse last time where he turned in a nice effort to account for the smart hurdler Tombstone. The step up to this trip shouldn’t be a problem for the six-year-old and, over this distance, he may have the measure of Jury Duty.
The latter was an easy winner of a 2m 6f Limerick beginner’s chase on his chasing debut last month and should make up into a smart chaser. As a hurdler he was at his best over 3m so he could be vulnerable at this trip. This is an interesting starting point for Ice Cold Soul’s chasing career while Woodland Opera is respected. He has experience to aid his cause and he faced an unenviable task when taking on Death Duty at Punchestown last time.
Selection: BAMAKO MORIVIERE
Next best: Jury Duty
3.15 PADDY POWER CORK GRAND NATIONAL HANDICAP CHASE (GRADE B) (0-150) 3M 4F
King’s Song was an impressive winner on his debut for Gordon Elliott at Punchestown last month. That success came in an appreciably weaker race than this and he is now some 16lbs higher in the weights. However, he could easily progress further and, off a light weight, he appeals as being able to mount a strong challenge. His stamina should hold up over this trip.
Racing Pulse makes his debut for Willie Mullins and the trainer’s record with new recruits is such that this gelding must have a major chance even though he has been out of sorts for some time. He was once a 139-rated chaser but lines up off a mere 121 here. Former winner Tulsa Jack is respected and so too is the former Kerry National runner-up Arkwrisht.
Selection: KING’S SONG
Next best: Racing Pulse
3.45 PADDY POWER ONSIDE APP HANDICAP CHASE 2M 160YDS
He is a stone higher in the weights than when last successful over fences, but All The Chimneys could be worth taking a chance on. He hasn’t been at his best in two runs this season but he should be working his way back to form and the switch back to fences should certainly aid his cause. He was a reliable 2m handicap chaser last season and this easy 2m should suit him well.
The top-weight, Bellgrove, must have a leading chance following a series of runner-up finishes, the most recent of which came behind Grey Mountain Mist at Thurles last month.
Selection: ALL THE CHIMNEYS
Next best: Bellgrove
4.20 CHRISTMAS PARTY PACKAGES DECEMBER 10th MARES (PRO/AM) FLAT RACE 2M
Biddy The Boss can follow up last month’s Fairyhouse triumph. The promising four-year-old’s form received a boost earlier this week when the Fairyhouse second, Moonlight Escape, won at Galway. Furthermore, her cause will be aided by her rider’s 7lb claim, which means that she is in receipt of 10lbs from the only other winner in the line-up. That other winner is the course scorer Lackaneen Leader and she warrants due consideration but she may need this first run since April. Getoutameway is a contender following her fine second to Sally Park in a bumper at this track last month.
Selection: BIDDY THE BOSS
Next best: Lackaneen Leader