11.35 Bar One Racing “Price Boosts Across All Channels” 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle 2m
Star Runner, who finished second at Cork on his debut over flights, can go one place better. A 77-rated handicapper on the flat for Andrew Balding, the gelding made a very promising first start for new connections.
Having shown his best form on a sounder surface, the Bill Durkan-trained juvenile should be well suited to these conditions.
Joseph O’Brien’s Beyond Your Dreams also holds strong claims. Runner-up when sent off a short priced favourite on her jumping debut at Fairyhouse, the filly should be all the better for that initial experience.
SELECTION: STAR RUNNER
Next best: Beyond Your Dreams
12.10 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle 2m
Cast A Spell might be able to register a first win over hurdles, now that she drops back to the minimum distance.
A winner on the flat at Killarney last month, the Tom Hogan-trained six-year-old ran well on two subsequent starts. Although a well-beaten third in listed company on her return to hurdling last time, the three-mile trip almost certainly stretched her stamina.
A winner on the flat for Joseph O’Brien, Green Sky ran better than her finishing position suggests on stable/hurdling debut last time. Still in contention when making a bad mistake two out, the Stuart Crawford-trained filly wasn’t beaten far in the end.
SELECTION: CAST A SPELL
Next best: Green Sky
12.45 Gaeil Colmcille GAA Kells “Day At The Races” Handicap Hurdle 2m
The Ian Donoghue-trained St Denis’s Well has leading claims of following up his win in last year’s renewal of this race.
Having shown huge improvement over fences in the interim, the gelding can now race off a hurdles mark which is 28lb below his chase rating. Also a winner here over fences, the six-year-old clearly likes this stiff track.
Someone’s Wish also reverts to hurdling here, having won over fences off a higher rating. However, with a less than convincing record over flights, the Gordon Elliott-trained four-year-old may just be a better chaser. That being said, he has to be respected off such a lowly mark.
SELECTION: ST DENIS’S WELL
Next best: Someone’s Wish
1.20 John Lynch Carpets & Flooring Monksfield Novice Hurdle (Grade 3) 2m 4f
Gordon Elliott’s The Yellow Clay can maintain his unbeaten record over hurdles. One of the leading bumper horses last season, the gelding ended his campaign with a highly creditable runner-up placing in a Grade 1 at the Punchestown festival.
An impressive winner on his first start over flights at Down Royal earlier this month, he looks the one to beat.
Blue Mosque, who has yet to taste defeat in two career starts, commands maximum respect. Although Noel Meade’s filly lacks the experience of her elders, the four-year-old looks an exciting prospect.
SELECTION: THE YELLOW CLAY
Next best: Blue Mosque
1.55 Bar One Racing “Bet 10 Euros Get 50 Euros Sign Up Offer” Tara Handicap Hurdle 2m 6f 100y
Twice successful on the flat in recent months, Londonofficecallin has to be of interest back over hurdles. A winner at Killarney on his penultimate start over flights, the Gavin Cromwell-trained seven-year-old looks to have improved in the interim. A strong stayer, he should appreciate the demands of the stiff finish he will encounter here.
A maiden winner on the level here two years ago, Sundial has been something of a slow burner over jumps. However, having shaped with plenty encouragement when finishing runner-up on his reappearance last month, the Padraig Roche-trained gelding has every chance.
SELECTION: LONDONOFFICECALLIN
Next best: Sundial
2.30 Bar One Racing Troytown Handicap Chase (Grade 3) 3m 50y
In a race dominated by Gordon Elliott, three-time course winner American Mike may be able to make his class count. Winner of both a listed bumper and Grade 2 chase here, the Bective Stud-owned gelding is a high-class horse on his day. Making his handicap debut, the seven-year-old can give the weight away.
Galway Plate fourth Life In The Park rates the main danger. Having filled a similar position in a well-contested handicap at the Cheltenham festival in March, Henry de Bromhead’s gelding is proven performer at this level.
SELECTION: AMERICAN MIKE
Next best: Life In The Park
3.05 Race And Stay Irish EBF Beginners Chase 2m 4f 150y
Supreme Novices’ Hurdle winner Slade Steel is difficult to oppose on his first start over fences. A former point-to-point winner, Henry de Bromhead’s six-year-old was a winner of a Grade 2 hurdle last December on his only previous visit to this track. Granted a clear round, he should be too good for this opposition.
Better Days Ahead, winner of the Martin Pipe hurdle at Cheltenham, is the main threat. However, having already finished behind Slade Steel over hurdles, Gordon Elliott’s gelding has work to do to bridge that gap. Winner of his only point-to-point start, the six-year-old should give a good account.
SELECTION: SLADE STEEL
Next best: Better Days Ahead
3.40 Coolmore N.H. Sires Hurricane Lane Irish EBF Mares INH Flat Race (Listed) 2m
Churchfield Sunset, who arguably ran into an above average gelding when runner-up at Roscommon last time, can get back on track. A winner on her racecourse debut at Cork in May, the Emmet Mullins-trained four-year-old can add a second career success. The fact that John Gleeson remains loyal in a race where he would have had a couple of options also strengthens her claims.
The Willie Mullins-trained Cameletta Vega lost her unbeaten record at Gowran last time but had looked very good on her previous start at Galway. If back to her best here, the daughter of prolific race mare Quevega will go very close.
SELECTION: CHURCHFIELD SUNSET
Next best: Cameletta Vega