2:10 Connolly’s Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle
2m 2f 165yds
This looks a good opportunity for Stranger Danger to shed his maiden tag. The son of Sholokhov has been second on both his hurdles starts behind some smart types and won’t have to do much more to get off the mark for the Denise Foster team.
Johngus was running a nice race until crashing down two out at Fairyhouse last month. He was just pipped in a maiden hurdle at Gowran in January behind Song Of Earth and is sure to go well again. Lady of the week Rachael Blackmore is back in the plate.
SELECTION: STRANGER DANGER
Next best: Johngus
2:45 Randox Rated Hurdle 2m 2f 165yds
Coach Carter was a very shrewd winner of a maiden hurdle at Punchestown on his previous start and he should build on that effort. He looked in trouble three out but made good headway after the second last and cleared away smartly. A reproduction of that effort should land the spoils.
Mitchouka is interesting. He was a gutsy winner of a handicap chase at Leopardstown recently seeing off Livelovelaugh by a neck, and returns over hurdles off a mark of 129, 14lbs less than his chase rating.
SELECTION: COACH CARTER
Next best: Mitchouka
3:17 WKD Handicap Hurdle 2m 2f 165yds
This looks a good opportunity for Amor Verdadero to return to winning ways. She looked the winner at Leopardstown before unseating Jordan Gainford at the second last and can make amends off a mark of 104. She seems to perform on better ground and the drying conditions will play to her strengths.
Elderado has had two bad runs on bottomless ground recently but has got one decent piece of course form to his name. He was third behind The Shunter over the course and distance last September and the return to a sounder surface might spark a bit of life into Gavin Cromwell’s charge on his handicap debut.
SELECTION: AMOR VERDADERO
Next best: Elderado
3:47 Randox Health Ulster National Handicap Chase 3m 4f 120yds
An ultra-competitive renewal and a chance is taken on the veteran Kruzhlinin. He looked as good as ever at Navan a fortnight ago when scoring nicely by seven lengths. He dictated that race from the front and similar tactics could be effective around this tight venue. Jordan Gainford is back in the plate and his 7lb claim is of high value again.
Last year’s winners Space Cadet and Ben Harvey return for another crack. The 11-year-old has been quietly campaigned and looked like he needed the run behind Shady Operator in a Punchestown cross country race last month. That should leave him spot on and he’s only 4lb higher than when winning this last season
SELECTION: KRUZHLININ
Next best: Space Cadet
4:22 WKD Handicap Chase 2m 3f 55yds
Crack On Corrie has been running brilliantly this season and is the one to beat. She hit the line well in a handicap hurdle at Clonmel when just pipped by Hilltop Supreme and returns off a 3lb lower mark over fences. Simon Torrens claims 5lb in the plate for Willie Austin’s mare who’s been in good form and will go close.
West Is Best was a good winner of a three-mile handicap chase at Clonmel and steps back down in trip. Stayers’ Hurdle-winning jockey Danny Mullins returns to the plate and a reproduction of the Clonmel effort won’t have them far away.
SELECTION: CRACK ON CORRIE
Next best: West Is Best
4:52 Boardsmill Sires Maiden Hunters Chase 2m 7f 100yds
Saint Benedict has been knocking on the door in hunters chases as of late and he looks sure to go close again. He’s been second in his last three behind some smart types and was sent off favourite on two occasions. Harry Swan takes the ride again and his 7lb claim looks good value.
The former Willie Mullins-trained Cemister returned from a long lay-off to land a point-to-point at Stradbally in December and can build on that in this contest. He jumped very well for that success and the booking of Jamie Codd is a plus for the Robert Armstrong-owned gelding.
SELECTION: SAINT BENEDICT
Next best: Cemister
5:22 Molson Coors (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race 2m 1f 65yds
It’s hard to get away from Fire Squadron for the Denise Foster and Jamie Codd partnership. He was a length second behind the smart Full Time Score at Fairyhouse last month over hurdles and that is the standout piece of form on offer. The return to bumper company and the booking of a top amatuer should see him in the winner’s enclosure.
Game And Glory was third over the course and distance in September on nice ground and the second there won a maiden hurdle at Ludlow last month. Patrick Mullins has been booked to ride five-year-old and a reproduction of that effort should have her in the frame.
SELECTION: FIRE SQUADRON
Next best: Game And Glory