1.45 Adare Manor Opportunity Maiden Hurdle 2m 4f 15y
Late Vocation should strip fitter here having caught the eye when staying on late on her reappearance at Tipperary last month. The daughter of Workforce should appreciate stepping up an additional half-mile in this race. With an official rating of just 97, she is definitely vulnerable in this grade, but it doesn’t appear the strongest of contests. Runner-up at this track last time, the Philip Fenton-trained Lynchy Boy looks the most obviously in danger. Given that, that was just his fourth career start and second over hurdles, the five-year-old is entitled to improve.
SELECTION: LATE VOCATION
Next best: Lynchy Boy
2.20 KilbegganRaces.com
Novice Hurdle 3m 1f 32y
With Paul Nolan enjoying a great run of success at the moment, Maxi Mac Gold can add to his recent Cork maiden win. A consistent gelding in stronger races all winter, the son of Doctor Dino appeared to appreciate the better ground when getting off the mark at Mallow. With his stamina assured, the five-year-old looks the safest option. Paggane will find this easier having run in blacktype races on her most recent starts. A maiden winner over two miles and four furlongs at Punchestown in February, the Willie Mullins-trained mare is worth a try at this staying trip.
SELECTION: MAXI MAC GOLD
Next best: Paggane
2.55 Joe Quinn Transport Longford Handicap Hurdle 3m 1f 32y
Course and distance winner He Fitz In can record another success at this venue. Having shown improvement in recent outings over fences, the Davy Fitzgerald- trained gelding now reverts to hurdles off a 6lb lower mark. With jockey Shane O’Callaghan taking off an additional 5lb, the chances of the eight-year-old are clear. Recent Cork fourth Steps Match shaped well enough over this trip on that occasion, to suggest he can get involved. Provided the gelding can lie up in the early stages, he should be finishing strongly.
SELECTION: HE FITZ IN
Next best: Steps Match
3.30 Midlands National Day Friday 12th July Handicap Hurdle 2m
A three-time winner on the all-weather at Dundalk, Denis Hogan’s Riyami is seriously well handicapped over hurdles. The five-year-old caught the eye on his most recent run over jumps when finishing fifth in a far stronger contest than this at Leopardstown over Christmas.
Although absent since March, the gelding has won off a similar break in the past. The Truant shaped with plenty of encouragement on his third start for Paul Flynn when runner-up on the flat at Navan last month. The seven-year-old is nicely handicapped over hurdles at present.
SELECTION: RIYAMI
Next best: The Truant
4.00 Sustainable Ladies Style Competition Beginners Chase 2m 4f 80y
The Gavin Cromwell-trained Dutch Schultz can shed his maiden tag over fences on his seventh attempt. A decent stayer on the flat, the seven-year-old also took quite some time to get off the mark over hurdles but his first success coincided with a return to better ground.
With similar underfoot conditions prevalent here, a first chase win looks in the offing. Henning arguably ran as well as could have been expected when runner-up behind a blacktype mare at Killarney last time. Facing nothing of that calibre here, Denis Hogan’s representative holds strong claims.
SELECTION: DUTCH SCHULTZ
Next best: Henning
4.30 Cooke’s Bar & Restaurant Caragh Handicap Chase 2m 4f 80y
Given her rate of improvement over hurdles since last running over fences, it is difficult to get away from Mousey Brown. Dermot McLoughlin’s mare won at Down Royal in March, before following up in a listed handicap hurdle at the Fairyhouse Easter Festival. Now rated 22lb below her chase mark, the seven-year-old should exploit a rating of 106 here.
The Gradual Slope won over a marathon trip at the Punchestown Festival but is a versatile gelding who gives his running over a variety of distances. Having rediscovered the winning habit the Sean O’Brien-trained grey isn’t one to dismiss lightly.
SELECTION: MOUSEY BROWN
Next best: The Gradual Slope
5.00 Follow Kilbeggan On Facebook (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race 2m
The well-bred Dysart Dazzler can make a winning racecourse debut for trainer Willie Mullins. A half-brother to two bumper winners, who later went on to pick up blacktype, the son of Flemensfirth has the pedigree to make up into a decent performer.
On a track where his trainer does particularly well with his debutants, the five-year-old looks the one to beat. Serious Chat looks just about the best of that that have already seen racecourse action. The Yvonne Latta-trained gelding showed definite promise before weakening late on at Ballinrobe last time.
SELECTION: DYSART DAZZLER
Next best: Serious Chat