Kevin Blake
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BEGINNERS CHASE 3M 1F
90YDS
An interesting opener and the Joseph O’Brien-trained Edwulf is given the nod. The seven-year-old was set to win an above average maiden chase at Navan in great style just over a year ago only to fall at the final fence and that seems to dent his confidence. He was set to finish in the frame behind Our Duke back at that track last time only to unseat his rider at the last, but this longer trip should help him and he can be expected to go close. His most interesting rival could well be the Willie Mullins-trained Childrens List who can be expected to come on from his recent seasonal and chasing debut.
Selection: EDWULF
Next best: Childrens List
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HANDICAP CHASE 2M
Henry de Bromhead may have the answer in the shape of Show And Go. The seven-year-old got off the mark over fences at Downpatrick in September and has run very well in two handicap chases since then. That form puts him right in the mix for a race of this standard. The biggest danger to him could well be the John Joe Walsh-trained Hard Bought; the nine-year-old having broken his maiden over fences in a handicap at Clonmel last time.
Selection: SHOW AND GO
Next best: Hard Bought
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HURDLE 2M 4F
This is a really intriguing clash between some established and promising sorts and it is the Willie Mullins-trained Sure Reef from the latter group that is selected. The seven-year-old looked a bright prospect when winning a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Leopardstown almost three years ago but injury has clearly intervened since then. Long absences are no barrier to success with the Mullins team and it wouldn’t surprise to see him make a winning return in this. Of his race-fit rivals, the Noel Meade-trained Monksland sets a high standard based on his official rating of 148.
Selection: SURE REEF
Next best: Monksland
1.55 FESTIVAL HOSPITALITY 3-Y-O MAIDEN HURDLE 2M
Gordon Elliott looks to hold an ace card in the shape of Dakota Moirette. The son of Voix Du Nord has been steadily getting the measure of hurdling and has excellent prospects in this contest based on his second-place finish to Prospectus in a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse last time. The hurdling debutant who catches the eye is the Joseph O’Brien-trained A Year To Remember, with the son of Galileo having an official rating of 84 on the flat.
Selection: DAKOTA MOIRETTE
Next best: A Year To Remember
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HURDLE 2M 4F
Competitive fare and preference is given to the Terence O’Brien-trained Mill Quest. The six-year-old has been progressing well over hurdles in recent starts, winning handicaps at Cork and Listowel before unseating her rider at the second-last flight at Navan in September when looking likely to go very close. She hasn’t been seen since then, but appeals as still being well handicapped and will be a danger to all if fighting fit for her return to action. Her most interesting rival is the Robert Tyner-trained Dont Kick Nor Bite who could well improve now that she enters handicap hurdle company.
Selection: MILL QUEST
Next best: Dont Kick Nor Bite
3.05 MARTINSTOWN OPPORTUNITY HANDICAP HURDLE (80-95) 2M
Without doubt the trickiest race on the card and the Nigel Slevin-trained Like A Demon is given the nod. The six-year-old has shown plenty of promise in his first two starts in handicap hurdles, going close to winning at Clonmel last time on what was his return from almost a year off the track. He seems sure to improve from that and is likely to go very close once again. Of the less exposed runners, the Enda Bolger-trained Give Me A Minute is of interest on his handicap hurdle debut having shown promise in maiden hurdles.
Selection: LIKE A DEMON
Next best: Give Me A Minute
3.40 ISF EBF (MARES) (PRO-AM) INH FLAT RACE 2M 2F
Much of the attention in this contest is likely to focus on the Willie Mullins-trained Redhotfillypeppers.
The daughter of Robin Des Champs created a favourable impression when running away with a point-to-point a Necarne in May and the form has been boosted by the subsequent win of the third-placed horse in that contest. Market support for her would obviously be very encouraging.
Of the newcomers, the Joseph O’Brien-trained Dawn In The Park catches the eye being a daughter of Walk In The Park who realised €35,000 as a three-year-old.
Selection: REDHOTFILLYPEPPERS
Next best: Dawn In The Park