12:50 Dunmoe Rated Novice Hurdle 2m 1½f
This looks like a nice opportunity for Thedevilscoachman, who didn’t at all disgrace himself in Grade 1 company last time. Noel Meade’s five-year-old was fifth to Appreciate It in the Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown, finishing only a place behind Royal Bond winner Ballyadam. Prior to that he won his maiden hurdle on heavy ground at Cork, a race in which the second has won since. He can take advantage of a drop in class.
The four-year-old Riviere d’Etel is likely his biggest danger. He was a smooth winner of his maiden hurdle at Punchestown on New Year’s Eve and though he takes on older horses now, he gets weight allowances and could be an above average sort for Gordon Elliott who has done very well with his juvenile hurdlers so far this season.
SELECTION: THEDEVILSCOACHMAN
Next best: Riviere d’Etel
1:22 Graigs Lane Maiden Hurdle 2m 4f
Mr Incredible could be the answer to this maiden hurdle after a very pleasing track debut at Leopardstown over Christmas. Henry de Bromhead’s five-year-old was ultimately no match for impressive winner Gaillard Du Mesnil but that Willie Mullins-trained winner had the benefit of recent experience and fitness. Mr Incredible may have got closer to him but for an awkward jump at the last but still had enough to finish clear Magic Daze, who ran out an impressive winner at Clonmel during the week. He can build on his opening effort and should go close today.
Folcano’s second to Flanking Maneuver in a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle looks nice form as well, given Noel Meade’s horse went on to finish fourth to Bob Olinger in Lawlor’s of Naas Novice Hurdle. He should run well again.
The Wests Awaits, who runs in the colours of Mrs John Magnier for Willie Mullins, is an interesting hurdles debutant and Brazos, who won the Irish Cesarewtich for John Murphy at this course, also catches the eye.
SELECTION: MR INCREDIBLE
Next best: Folcano
1:57 Navan Handicap Hurdle (Grade B) 2m 4f
Despite the fact this 20-runner handicap hurdle is a potential minefield with unexposed and possibly well-handicapped sorts aplenty, Agusta Gold easily makes most appeal. Mags Mullins’ mare has been a seriously consistent sort and looked as good as ever on her first run of the season win she beat the useful Moyhenna in a Grade 3 mares’ chase at Fairyhouse. She returns to hurdles now off a 21lb lower mark and she won this race two years ago, so you know she’s capable over the course and distance.
Uisce Solas looked like a horse on the up when winning easily at Naas last time but Damalisque makes more appeal after his run to finish second to Barnaviddaun in the Brown Lad Handicap Hurdle at the same course. Eddie Harty’s eight-year-old was highly-tried last season but struggled to make an impact until he ran well on the flat during the summer. He was backed off the boards at Naas, very much hinting that the penny may have dropped, and despite being 5lbs higher in the weights, he should put up a big performance today.
Both Column Of Fire and Silver Sheen are interesting for the Cheltenham Festival but maybe best watched on their seasonal debuts today.
SELECTION: AGUSTA GOLD
Next best: Damalisque
2:32 Ardmulchan Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f
Bitsandpieces could be the answer to this tricky handicap hurdle. The Mick Winters-trained 12-year-old is lightly raced for his age – this will be just his ninth start over hurdles – and is potentially nicely treated racing off a mark which is 9lbs below his chase assessment. He is consistent, having finished in the first three on 11 of his 17 starts and also has a decent record fresh - he makes his seasonal debut today.
Ensel Du Perche didn’t get very far on his previous run but comes into this on account of his third to Free Thought at Naas. He is completely unexposed so holds obvious claims. Handsworth is another to consider. He has made late gains on his last two starts, suggesting he has the ability to win a race of this calibre.
SELECTION: BITSANDPIECES
Next best: Ensel Du Perche
3:07 Wilkinstown Beginners Chase 3m
Both The Big Dog and Lord Royal were among the entries for the National Hunt Novice Chase for Cheltenham this week so either could book their ticket with a win today. The Big Dog, Peter Fahey’s eight-year-old, looks a little more trustworthy. He hasn’t convinced with his jumping so far, unseating his rider at Punchestown on his penultimate run, but he got around that course on his previous start and put up a good show in finishing third to the useful Longhouse Poet and Run Wild Fred, the front three finishing clear. That is the best chase form on offer here.
Lord Royal showed plenty over hurdles last season but hasn’t convinced in two runs over fences. He was going well enough at Thurles on his debut before falling late on and then was very disappointing at Naas last time.
Defi Bleu should be suited to coming up to this trip and it would be no surprise to see him run a big race and enter calculations for a handicap at the Festival.
SELECTION: THE BIG DOG
Next best: Defi Bleu
3:42 Gormanlough Handicap Chase 3m
Johnnys Girl is a tentative selection in what looks a poor race. Norman Lee’s mare hadn’t shown much before winning at Limerick over Christmas, when the trainer felt she benefitted from a more conventional track and from carrying a low weight in testing conditions. The form of her win there was boosted by the second Kristian Goingwel winning at Punchestown last weekend, so she could be more than fairly treated off a 6lb rise.
Miracle In Medinah finished third in the same Limerick contest and should run well again, with the step up to three miles likely to be in his favour.
SELECTION: JOHNNYS GIRL
Next best: Miracle In Medinah
4:17 Slane (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race 2m
Tucson Train could be the answer to what doesn’t look to be the strongest bumper. He produced a much better performance than his first two starts on the track when finishing second to the well touted Ramillies at Leopardstown over Christmas. A Tinahely point-to-point winner, the ability is there, and if he can run as well as he did at Leopardstown today, he’ll be a tough nut to crack.
Three Stripe Life, a €40,000 store purchase, makes obvious appeal on his debut for Gordon Elliott, while Durragh is an interesting proposition from the Fozzy Stack yard. Bought as a yearling for €65,000, the daughter of Camelot makes her belated track debut today and looks worth keeping an eye on.
SELECTION: TUCSON TRAIN
Next best: Three Stripe Life