2.32 Ladbrokes Champion Chase (Grade 1) 3m
Beacon Edge: Showed high-class form last term when winning the Drinmore at Fairyhouse and when chasing home Farouk D’Alene in a Grade 2 event at Navan before his form tailed off in the spring. Isn’t one to underestimate on his return to action despite having a bit to find.
Conflated: Proved to be a revelation last season when he bolted up in the Irish Gold Cup and when beaten only 1l by Clan Des Obeaux in a Grade 1 event at Aintree on his final start of the season. That form is probably the strongest on offer but he does look to be best suited by going left-handed.
Envoi Allen: Formerly outstanding bumper horse and novice hurdler who hasn’t quite looked the force of old over the last year and a half. However, he remains a top-class performer at his best and it will be fascinating to see how he fares at this distance.
His only previous try at three miles was inconclusive and he was able to show up creditably in top company at two miles which makes him very interesting, and he has never been beaten on his first run of the season.
Galvin: Finished a fine second in this race last year before landing the Savills Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas and he ran a fine fourth in the Gold Cup in March.
He posted a nice effort on his comeback to win a Grade 3 over three miles at Punchestown last month and that looks to leave him perfectly poised for this assignment. The one to beat.
Kemboy: Has won four top-level chases at this trip and is a top-notch performer at his best. Although he hasn’t won since February 2021 he was beaten less than a length by Galvin at Leopardstown last Christmas and he comes here fit following a couple of recent outings behind stablemate Easy Game over 2m 4f. He mightn’t be the force of old but still warrants consideration.
Galvin looked on good terms with himself when winning at Punchestown last month. He developed into a high-class performer in this sphere last season and can avenge his defeat in this race last year.
Conflated could be vulnerable going right-handed and it wouldn’t surprise if Envoi Allen, who has such a strong first time out record, emerged as the biggest threat.
12.53 Value Cabs 3-Y-O Hurdle 2m 190yds
Old Victoria is a hopeful choice to make a winning start in Ireland. Gordon Elliott often targets this race with his better juveniles and this filly looks promising having finished second on her hurdling debut in France before then winning at Cholet in September.
She is preferred to the useful flat horse Cougar who was rated 86 when winning at the Curragh during the summer before then making a successful jumping debut for his current connections at Gowran Park last month.
The mile-and-a-half flat winner New Year Honours, a stablemate of the selection, could be very interesting as she in receipt of a very substantial weight allowance.
SELECTION: OLD VICTORIA
Next Best: Cougar
1.23 Tayto Group Maiden Hurdle 2m 190yds
Surprisingly there is very little form to go on here and it could pay to side with the Elliott yard who are chasing a fourth straight win in this race.
Foxfire Glow has yet to run in Ireland but he showed promise on both his jumping outings in France last autumn and there was enough in those efforts to suggest that he will be able to play a leading role on his return from a year off.
It wouldn’t surprise if he were given most to do by his stablemate Themanintheboots. The latter was somewhat disappointing on his last start at Downpatrick but did show ability to reach the frame in bumpers at Killarney and Kilbeggan.
SELECTION: FOXFIRE GLOW
Next Best: Themanintheboots
1.58 Charles Hurst DS Handicap Hurdle (0-150) (Grade B) 2m 190yds
Take All could be worth taking a chance on despite not having run since April. He developed into quite a capable two-mile chaser last term and he showed up well in a couple of decent handicap hurdles at Naas in the spring.
This trip suits him well and he has a better chance than his last couple of runs would suggest.
He can see off Nibiru who finished third in a 1m 2f flat handicap at Leopardstown last month having previously won a handicap hurdle over this trip at Navan. He is 8lbs higher in the weights for that Navan success but that should not prevent him from playing a leading role.
Pats Choice has been running to a solid level and might appreciate coming back to this trip after finishing a 17l second to Hgranca De Thaix over 2m 3f at Galway a month ago. He could be the pick of the Elliott runners.
SELECTION: TAKE ALL
Next Best: Nibiru
3.07 Eventsec Chase (Grade 2) 2m 3f 120yds
This won’t be easy for Fury Road under a Grade 1 penalty but he might still be equal to the task at hand.
Overall he enjoyed a fine time over fences last season when he was second in the Drinmore, won a Grade 1 at Leopardstown over Christmas and finished a very creditable 5l second to Ahoy Senor at Aintree.
That level of form earns him the vote over the former Albert Barlett winner Vanillier who won at Grade 2 level last term and posted a decent effort when third to Lifetime Ambition in a beginners’ chase over this course and distance at this meeting last year.
Fighter Allen is also warrants respect as he is getting a considerable weight concession and he is open to progress in this sphere after just four previous chase runs.
SELECTION: FURY ROAD
Next Best: Vanillier
3.40 Start Your Free Trial Now At racingtv.com Handicap Chase 3m
Final Orders comes here in great heart and can make it four wins from his last five starts. He has taken well to chasing in recent months with his record standing at two wins from three starts over the larger obstacles.
He won over an extended 2m 1f at Cork last time but previously struck over 2m 7f at Killarney when he accounted for the subsequent winner King Ferdinand. The return to this trip should suit him well.
He should be able to see off Arctic Ambition who won a 2m 6f handicap chase at Tramore on New Year’s Day. He is stepping up in grade for his first outing since January but looks dangerous off bottom weight.
SELECTION: FINAL ORDERS
Next Best: Arctic Ambition
4.10 Ladbrokes (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race 2m 190yds
An intriguing clash between the Elliott and Mullins yards with King Of Kingsfield getting the vote for the former.
King Of Kingsfield is making his racecourse debut but made a striking impression on his only point-to-point outing when winning at Portrush by a distance. He looks a potentially high-class type.
Honky Tonk is very interesting and he is a son of leading sire Walk In The Park out of a half-sister to his trainer’s top-class hurdler Arctic Fire.
SELECTION: KING OF KINGSFIELD
Next Best: Honky Tonk