1.40 Congratulating Downpatrick’s Daniel McMenamin Mares Maiden Hurdle 2m 2f 165y
Mollys Glory looks the one to be on in this opening contest given her excellent bumper form last season. A second placing in listed class was followed by another solid run when fourth in a Grade 3 at the Punchestown festival. Her jumping ability has to be taken on trust, as does her ability to act on this track, but she looks a class apart.
April’s Moon, although inferior to the Grassick-trained mare in bumpers, does possess vital hurdling experience. A maiden under all codes after 13 starts, she is vulnerable to a classier type but her experience will be a huge plus around here.
SELECTION: MOLLYS GLORY
Next best: April’s Moon
2.10 Randox Health Rated Hurdle 2m 2f 165y
Gevrey may be the answer to what appears a difficult puzzle to solve. Denise Foster’s five-year-old remains open to improvement over hurdles and ran one of his best races when third at the Punchestown festival. The form of that contest has worked out well in the interim, so perhaps he could just have a pound or two up his sleeve.
Humm Baby also deserves consideration especially with trainer Michael Hourigan enjoying a good run. The Limerick man is down on numbers these days but can still deliver the results given the right ammunition. This tough mare always runs her race so should handle the undulations without too many problems.
SELECTION: GEVREY
Next best: Humm Baby
2.40 Randox Health Handicap Hurdle 2m 2f 165y
Natural Breeze, who has been second on his latest three starts, should be able to capitalise on what appears to be his best chance to date. All those aforementioned runs have been at this venue so he clearly acts around the tight undulations and the form of his penultimate run has been well franked since.
Johnny Giro stepped up on previous efforts when fourth over a shorter trip here last time. Having given the impression that he would improve for the extra yardage, he has to be a serious threat from the foot of the weights.
SELECTION: NATURAL BREEZE
Next best: Johnny Giro
3.15 Frank & Brian Fitzsimmons Memorial Mares’ Handicap Hurdle 2m 5f 165y
Finding Joy, who came right back to form when second at Killarney, can record a second course-and-distance success. The seven-year-old mare was in great form around this time two years ago, but the handicapper had his say thereafter. She looked better on her latest outing and will be primed for a big performance.
Rain In Spain was impressive in Cork but just found one too good last time. She has also performed well at this track in the past and has the champion jockey in the saddle.
SELECTION: FINDING JOY
Next best: Rain In Spain
3.50 Joe Rea Memorial Maiden Hurdle 2m 5f 165y
Recite A Prayer can win on his second start for Willie Mullins. The former point-to-point winner was runner up at Tipperary on his first run for the champion trainer but this looks an easier task. Stable runners always seem to run well at this meeting and this can be yet another winner for the team. Multifactorial has to enter calculations on the basis that he won his bumper at this track. He also ran well subsequently over hurdles so commands respect for the Denise Foster yard.
SELECTION: RECITE A PRAYER
Next best: Multifactorial
4.20 Quam Felix Sumus Handicap Hurdle 2m 5f 165y
Nuttorridge can get off the mark at the ninth attempt having shaped well on a couple of occasions. Mark McNiff’s runners are in rude health and this son of Elusive Pimpernel deserves to get his head in front. A recent third at this track has been well advertised since, so a reproduction of that effort would almost certainly suffice.
Viking Hoard has hinted at a return to form on a few runs of late so has to be a contender. While his most recent run at Limerick wouldn’t give him much chance, his previous two efforts read much better.
SELECTION: NUTTORRIDGE
Next best: Viking Hoard
4.55 Molson Coors Beverage Company INH Flat Race 2m 2f 165y
Quantum Realm should be a warm order to take this finale. A point-to-point winner at Dromahane last October, that form has been franked by the now 126-rated second horse. He looks an exciting recruit to the racecourse and one would expect an impressive performance. Eco Pete, who ran respectably on his debut at Wexford, is the most likely danger to the Denise Foster-trained horse. He shaped well on that occasion and will have learned plenty from that initial run.
SELECTION: QUANTUM REALM
Next best: Eco Pete