12.00 TRI Equestrian Maiden Hurdle 2m
George Mernagh bumper winner Kopek Des Bordes is of obvious appeal, as is Yeshil, who went close in the Goffs Defender Bumper. The winner had more experience and backed the form with a promising start over hurdles.
Don’t Tell Jack, who was purchased privately after a narrow defeat between the flags, made a promising rules debut and should come on from that effort. Whinney Hill, meanwhile, holds a fitness advantage with two runs in bumpers, the most recent of which was a comfortable win.
The market will be informative regarding the remainder, including French import Kawaboomga and €300,000 buy Zillow, who needs to bounce back from a disappointing run at Punchestown.
SELECTION: KOPEK DES BORDES
Next best: Don’t Tell Jack
12.35 Thorntons Recycling Maiden Hurdle 2m
This generally works out the better of the two maiden hurdles, with last year’s victor King Of Kingsfield joining an honour roll that includes Sir Gerhard, Bacardys and Supasundae. Willie Mullins is two-handed in attempting to win it for the fifth time in 10 years, led by Punchestown Champion Bumper victor Redemption Day.
William Munny finished 11 lengths behind them that day, finishing a respectable third, while Workahead finished third to another Grade 1 bumper winner on his hurdle debut. That was his first start in almost two years, so he is expected to come on plenty from it.
Jacob’s Ladder’s penultimate run puts him in the mix, while Jouer Masque and complete the shortlist.
SELECTION: WORKAHEAD
Next best: Redemption Day
1.10 Grade 2 O’Driscolls Irish Whiskey Juvenile Hurdle
Willy De Houelle’s defeat last time suggested that he would prefer a left-handed track and softer ground, but he’ll only get the first of those demands on Thursday.
The race probably set itself up for Naturally Nimble, but bookmakers still have him at the same odds for the Triumph with Mullins’s French recruit.
Danny Mullins still considers Willy De Houelle as Closutton’s best chance, against three other French imports. They are Murcia, who won a listed hurdle at Auteuil by 12 lengths, blacktype performer Sony Bill and Lady Vega Allen, a well-related winner by Saint Des Saints.
The manner of Hello Neighbour’s flat wins earned him the right to make his hurdle debut in this company, and his pedigree also excites, as a Harzand half-brother to Grade 1 winner A Wave Of The Sea.
Prairie Angel may have earned blacktype at Newbury, but he was beaten eight lengths, and these rivals look better again.
SELECTION: HELLO NEIGHBOUR
Next best: Willy De Houelle
1.45 Dornan Careers Novice Handicap Hurdle 2m
Addragoole has top-weight to overcome in order to shed his bridesmaid status, but is worthy of his rating compared to many seeking a career-best to feature here.
Johnny Blue is an interesting contender, having finished fourth on his handicap debut. That came after an 233-day absence, and was his first start for Willie Mullins.
Lygon Lad holds similar intrigue based on his first start in handicap company, when he finished second to a Charles Byrnes horse on an upward curve.
Cloonainra appeals as she drops down in trip, and must be held in some regard by connections to have earned a trip to Cheltenham last time out. The inexperience of her rider is balanced by his 7lb claim.
SELECTION: JOHNNY BLUE
Next best: Lygon Lad
2.55 Racing Post Handicap Chase 2m 1f
Last year’s winner The Folkes Tiara is 7lb higher this time, but his young rider’s claim balances that out.
He comes off the back of a listed win, when The King of Prs and Railway Hurricane finished second and fourth respectively. The runner-up was returning from 244 days off, so he should be expected to improve the most of the trio.
Classy hurdler Affordale Fury made a winning chase debut, and we can presumably disregard his subsequent disappointment, as he didn’t appear again after. That said, he now has to overcome a 13-month absence.
San Salvador has had a busy campaign, as connections make the most of his preferred drier ground. Bowmore was high in the betting against him in a Grade 3 and didn’t look a serious threat when falling two out.
SELECTION: THE KING OF PRS
Next best: San Salvador
3.30 Race And Stay INH Flat Race 2m
The form of Green Splendour’s debut fourth in a valuable bumper has worked out well.
The winner was Regent’s Stroll, who remains unbeaten, while runner-up Don’t Mind If I Do won his maiden hurdle by 15 lengths.
Ma Jacks Hill, who sold for €310,000 after winning at Dromahane, was a beaten favourite on rules debut, but should come on from that.
He appears to be Elliott’s leading hope on jockey bookings, though stablemate Mister Box, a son of Blue Bresil, appeals on pedigree.
Walks In June presumably cost a pretty penny after his winning debut in a four-year-old maiden. Out of a half-sister to Empire Of Dirt, the son of Walk In The Park also benefits from having John Gleeson aboard.
SELECTION: GREEN SPLENDOUR
Next best: Walks In June