11.30 Total Event Rental 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle 2m 148yds
Its Bilbo was a bit of an eyecatcher on his debut in a three-year-old hurdle at Compiegne in March and could make a successful first start for Henry de Bromhead. His jumping got better as the contest went on there and he was probably given a nice educational ride from off the pace to finish fourth.
Naturally Nimble was useful, if a bit frustrating to follow, on the flat for Joseph O’Brien but remains an interesting candidate now hurdling. Slurricane shouldn’t be too far away with the experience of two solid runs in this sphere to his name.
SELECTION: ITS BILBO
Next best: Naturally Nimble
12.00 Sebden Steel Maiden Hurdle 2m 3f 87yds
A race that should produce plenty of future winners. Goffs Defender Bumper winner Sermandzarak gets a tentative nod, with the Gordon Elliott team being in such good form, and with strong bumper experience behind him.
Butch Cassidy impressed when winning a Ballinrobe bumper for Philip Fenton in April and is worth considering on debut for Henry de Bromhead, while Ted Walsh’s Shuffle The Deck advertised his talent in a point-to-point win for Derek O’Connor last spring. Flat recruit Zillow cost €300,000 at Arqana last November and has had plenty of time to acclimatise to life with Willie Mullins.
SELECTION: SERMANDZARAK
Next best: Butch Cassidy
12.30 Conway Piling Beginners Chase 2m 3f
One of the most exciting novice hurdlers for some time last season, Ballyburn is expected to make a winning chasing bow back at the same place he completed his Grade 1 hat-trick in the spring. The 2024 Arkle winner from the same stable, Gaelic Warrior, returned in this race 12 months ago.
Ocastle Des Mottes has been well fancied for major handicap hurdles in Britain earlier in the year without collecting and now switches to fences. Gold Dancer was set a couple of competitive assignments last year when joining the champion trainer and might now find his feet over fences.
SELECTION: BALLYBURN
Next best: Ocastle Des Mottes
1.00 Boodles Florida Pearl Novice Chase (Grade 2) 3m
A disappointing turnout, with nobody taking on Gordon Elliott and Gigginstown’s three runners. Last season’s Albert Bartlett winner Stellar Story is the pick of Jack Kennedy, though he has yet to run in a chase under rules (unseated at the second on his debut between the flags before winning a point-to-point for Donnchadh Doyle).
Search For Glory was 9lb inferior to Stellar Story over hurdles but has the advantage of both a recent run and a beginners’ chase win. The ground-versatile Rainbow Trail fell here last time and now makes his first start beyond two and a half miles.
SELECTION: STELLAR STORY
Next best: Search For Glory
1.35 Ryans Cleaning Handicap Chase 2m 5f 70yds
It was an encouraging first run since February when Law Ella stayed on well for second at Listowel and she might be able to defy a big weight after a 3lb rise. Perhaps she might be better over a little further in time but the prospect of rain following declarations should do her no harm. Plenty hold chances. Shantreusse has threatened to win a nice pot yet remains a maiden over fences after eight attempts. He could well click but that record is off-putting.
SELECTION: LAW ELLA
Next best: Shantreusse
2.50 Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series Qualifier Handicap Hurdle 2m 3f 87yds
Ask Anything looks well handicapped over hurdles off 116, considering his rating of 132 over fences. The concern is that it mightn’t be ideal turning out six days on the Troytown when a mistake on landing at the first effectively ended his race (pulled up after the second). However, he likes an ease in he ground and should stay well at this trip.
With the Philip Rothwell team in cracking form, Billy Lee Swagger needs consideration, as well as stablemate Phils Choice. Cozone caught the eye when second here last week.
SELECTION: ASK ANYTHING
Next best: Billy Lee Swagger
3.25 Mervyn Gray Construction (Pro/Am) Flat Race 2m 148yds
The fact that Harry Swan rides rules newcomer Ma Jacks Hill of the Gordon Elliott-trained duo must be considered a vote of confidence from the stable when stablemate Jacob’s Ladder has already proven himself as a bumper winner. The point-to-point-winning selection looked an imposing type in the ring when selling for €310,000 at the Goffs Punchestown Festival Sale.
Jerry From Kerry finished second to Jacob’s Ladder at Down Royal last time and slower ground will probably need to help him get closer this time.
SELECTION: MA JACKS HILL
Next best: Jacob’s Ladder