12.00 INH Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle 2m 4f
Alighted evidently isn’t the easiest to keep right and has his first start since finishing second in a Punchestown maiden hurdle in November of 2018, that run coming on the back of a similar absence after making a winning debut in a bumper at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival of 2017. Clearly, he runs well fresh and could be the one to be with here.
Opposites Attract ran a cracker to finish third in quite a hot Navan maiden over this trip recently and rates a serious threat to stretch the selection.
SELECTION: ALIGHTED
Next best: Opposites Attract
12.30 Conolly’s Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle 2m 1f
Rhythm Divine sets the standard of those with hurdling experience, notably her second in a listed mares’ novice at the Punchestown Festival, and she comes here on the back of a recent good third to a potentially high-class sort at Navan.
However, it could pay to side with Emmet Mullins’ Galway bumper winner Russian Diamond, who beat a strong favourite that day and won’t lack for fitness on his return to action. Behind The Curtain posted a couple of solid efforts over longer trips for Noel Meade in the summer and would rate a threat if returning in the same form here for Philip Rothwell.
SELECTION: RUSSIAN DIAMOND
Next best: Rhythm Divine
1.00 Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle 2m 1f
Fight For Love showed a good attitude to win at Fairyhouse earlier this month and Gordon Elliott’s six-year-old could well have more upside off this 5lb higher mark in what doesn’t appear a strong contest.
Laureate hinted at a return to form at Navan last month and looks set to go well, and one who has to be respected is Well Joey, much improved since sent chasing and potentially well handicapped back hurdling here. He had excuses when pulled up last time at Hexham.
SELECTION: FIGHT FOR LOVE
Next best: Well Joey
1.35 Adam & Ann Armstrong Memorial Irish EBF Beginners Chase 2m 4f
Touch Of Oscar showed a bit more last time when staying on well over an inadequate trip at Clonmel and can take another step forward now back to probably his optimum trip.
Theatre World, a fluent jumper of hurdles with an identical hurdles rating as the selection, rates a definite threat if taking to fences here, while recent Clonmel third Bitsandpieces is another who will appreciate this longer trip and has to enter calculations.
SELECTION: TOUCH OF OSCAR
Next best: Theatre World
2.10 Metcollect Handicap Chase 2m 4f
Points’ winner Sliabh Muire Lass made a fine handicap debut over fences when finishing strongly over 2m 2f at Clonmel early this month in finishing a clear third and seems sure to relish this extra couple of furlongs.
She gets the vote ahead of Golden Sunset and An Droichead Gorm, the pair closely matched on recent Tramore form when the former was a well-backed favourite. Carried was fourth in that Tramore race but needs to jump better to feature here.
SELECTION: SLIABH MUIRE LASS
Next best: Golden Sunset
2.45 Bluegrass Hunters Chase 2m 6f
A fine turnout and a race which should have a major bearing for the rest of the season on the hunter chase division. the 2018 Irish Gold Cup winner Edwulf returns to the track following a comfortable success between the flags at Loughrea in October but faces stiff competition in Ucello Conti, a three-time winner in hunter chases last season and likely all the better for his recent second on his seasonal return at Ballindenisk.
The classy chaser Black Hercules was beaten by Arctic Skipper at Boulta last month and the pair add further depth to an intriguing race, along with Tinahely winner Val De Ferbet.
SELECTION: EDWULF
Next best: Ucello Conti
3.20 Proparamedics (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race 2m 1f
All eyes here will be on Farouk D’Alene, a runaway winner of a Belclare point-to-point for Donnchadh Doyle who fetched £260,000 at the Cheltenham Festival Sale just four days later and now debuts in the Gigginstown colours.
Railway Hurricane won at Lisronagh last month and has since switched to Gavin Cromwell so has to be worth a look, while the market could be the best guide to the chances of Noel Meade’s newcomer Trump Legend, a son of Mastercraftsman.
SELECTION: FAROUK D’ALENE
Next best: Railway Hurricane