1.50 Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle 2m 160y

This looks really competitive but it could be a formality if Teed Up turns up for a third time this week but first over hurdles, competing off a mark of 113. Emmet Mullins’s gelding won the Connacht Hotel Handicap on Monday and was a leading contender for the Guinness Handicap last night before this paper went to press. Prior to that run, his form figures around Galway are 211211 and he will be thrown in here off his hurdles mark.

If he doesn’t show up, Hearts Are Trumps is very interesting. He found only Aramon too good in the 2020 Galway Hurdle when competing off a mark of 136. He has since fallen down the weights but didn’t go unbacked when winning at Ballinrobe the other week, and looks interesting now off a mark of 116, with a likely strong pace that will suit him in this big field.

SELECTION: TEED UP

Next best: Hearts Are Trumps

2.20 Kenny Galway Handicap Hurdle 3m 60y

In a difficult contest to decipher, a chance is taken on the Shane Broderick-trained Sphagnum. The six-year-old gelding was a good winner at Downpatrick on his penultimate run and may well have found the pace and class of a Tipperay novice chase too hot for him over a shorter trip last month. Back over hurdlers and back up in trip, he can do much better.

We’llhavewan is a clear danger having come from far back in the field here on Wednesday to finish sixth. He was well backed on that occasion and may gain compensation now. Peaches And Cream is another to note. She was easy to back on her comeback after a 362-break when sixth at Killarney but she is much better than that, having taken the Colm Quinn BMW Chase at Punchestown last year. She is 21lbs higher over fences.

SELECTION: SPHAGNUM

Next best: Peaches And Cream

2.55 Eileen Kelly Memorial Steeplechase 2m 6f 111y

Saint Sam will be difficult to beat if running anywhere near his rating of 159 under these conditions. Willie Mullins’s six-year-old has won his last two starts over fences, the latest of which was a smooth performance in a Grade 3 contest over two and a half miles at Killarney. The suspicion is that he goes well fresh so a mini break since that effort is no negative and he can make it four from seven over fences with most of his rivals have a question to answer.

The battle for second could go to Stumptown who was a really progressive horse earlier this year and found only one too good in the Kim Muir. He jumps really well and could stick around long enough to take the best of the minor money.

SELECTION: SAINT SAM

Next best: Stumptown

3.30 Lord Hemphill Memorial Handicap Steeplechase 2m 2f 54y

With so much rain forecast over the weekend, the ground could easily go soft again, and that would be a positive for the chances of Roseys Hollow, and a negative for a few of her rivals here. Jonathan Sweeney’s mare has run to a good level over hurdles and has some notable form over fences on soft ground, having chased home Dinoblue at Cork last November. She was a comfortable winner at Tipperary last time which sets her up well for this contest.

Benefit Run won this race off 6lbs higher last season and may well have similar conditions. Ross O’Sullivan’s gelding has likely been aimed at this for a long time and warmed up with a good run behind The Greek at Punchestown. Sole Pretender and Hereditary Rule are well respected but may need a decent surface to be seen at their best.

SELECTION: ROSEYS HOLLOW

Next best: Benefit Run

4.00 Irish Stallion Farms EBF ‘Ahonoora’ Handicap 7f

As competitive as this is, and as much luck in running may play a part, it’s very difficult to look beyond Current Option in his bid for a four timer. Ado McGuinness’s seven-year-old has won this race off marks of 99, 105 and 97 but runs off 95 now, having had his customary satisfactory warm up in the Colm Quinn BMW Mile on Tuesday. The soft pace in that race didn’t suit him and he got little luck in running yet still ran on for eighth and with an okay draw today, he is in prime position to strike again.

On A Session’s record in this unique test is equally remarkable with three seconds and a third from four runs. Off a mark of 89 and a good draw in three, he looks set to run another big race. Of the non ‘Galway’ horses, Hotrocket appeals as a fast progressing four-year-old for Joseph O’Brien. He has won his last two starts and has the useful claim of Conor Stone Walsh to make life easier for him.

SELECTION: CURRENT OPTION

Next best: On A Session

4.30 Kinlay Irish EBF Auction Series Maiden 7f

Stromberg bumped into a really hot prospect in Caught U Looking on debut at Leopardstown but still ran a fine race on debut himself, and he can go one better now. Joseph O’Brien’s colt made good late headway to beat 16 other rivals and in truth, this looks a step down in class.

Perhaps Romford will give him most to do. He hasn’t been seen since May, but he ran well on debut in the maiden Givemethebeatboys won at Naas. Noel Meade’s Kiki Roberts improved from his debut to finish third at Bellewstown and that experience could stand to her at this track.

SELECTION: STROMBERG

Next best: Romford

5.00 Ireland West Airport Knock Handicap 1m 73y

Partisan Hero looks dangerous here off a mark of 61. Dermot Weld’s gelding showed little in three starts in maidens but was much better on handicap debut, finishing third to Final Check at Killarney, when sporting cheekpieces for the first time. He was only 5/1 on that occasion, suggesting there was a bit of confidence behind him and with that as a base, he may well progress further now on just his fifth ever start.

A few of these ran earlier in the week and as it transpires, both Quantum Light and La Tulipe Noire, second and fourth to Rio Largo on Monday, will likely have similarly soft ground conditions. Of the pair, Quantum Light is preferred slightly, but a draw of 10 isn’t ideal. Malbay Madenss has to be a player as well after he was only just touched off but softer ground may not suit.

SELECTION: PARTISAN HERO

Next best: Quantum Light

5.30 Fr. Breen Memorial INH Flat Race 2m

It’s difficult to get away from the Willie Mulllins duo of You Oughta Know and Aurora Vega, with Patrick Mullins’s decision to ride the former clearly a significant pointer. He was an impressive winner on his debut when 11 lengths too good for the expensive purchase Croke Park and that looks strong form.

Aurora Vega, a half sister to Facile Vega, was impressive as well on her debut and should handle potentially soft ground very well. It may not have been an easy choice for Patrick, so she shouldn’t be discounted. Of the other stables, Lionnar improved from his debut to win at the Curragh earlier this summer and could well improve again but may well need to.

SELECTION: YOU OUGHTA KNOW

Next best: Aurora Vega