11.40 John Lynch Carpets 3-Y-0 Maiden Hurdle 2m 160y
Lark In The Mornin has the potential to develop into a useful sort if taking to jumping.
A winner of a Listowel maiden on his debut on the flat, the Joseph O’Brien-trained gelding wasn’t disgraced on his only subsequent start when beaten under five lengths in a rated race at Cork. Although his absence since April is a concern, he should prove too strong for this opposition.
Biggerthanbigtime, who has improved on each of his three runs over flights, has a crucial edge in terms of experience.
SELECTION: LARK IN THE MORNIN
Next Best: Biggerthanbigtime
12.13 CourtClinic.ie Chartered Physiotherapists Supporting Kilmacud Crokes GAA Maiden Hurdle 2m 3f 87y
Goffs Defender Bumper winner Predators Gold should be capable of making a winning start to his hurdling career. The Willie Mullins-trained four-year-old looked a bright prospect when successful on his racecourse debut at this venue back in April.
Having had time to develop over the summer, he should be much more like the finished article now.
Mossy Fen Park made all the running when easily landing his point-to-point at Nenagh in February. Now under the care of Henry de Bromhead, the Walk In The Park gelding is thoroughly unexposed on his first start under rules.
SELECTION: PREDATORS GOLD
Next Best: Moss Fen Park
12.48 Conway Piling Beginners Chase 2m 2f 200y
Grade 1 winner Gaelic Warrior can get off the mark at the first attempt over fences before stepping up in class.
The five-year-old had a near perfect record over hurdles last season, suffering just the one defeat when runner-up to a quality opponent in the Ballymore at Cheltenham. The son of Maxios has the potential to develop into a leading staying novice this term.
Cool Survivor is a worthy opponent at this stage of their respective careers. Gordon Elliott’s gelding won his only point-to-point start before climbing the ranks as a novice hurdler once switched to rules. He also has the benefit of a previous run over regulation fences, narrowly losing out at Limerick last month.
SELECTION: GAELIC WARRIOR
Next Best: Cool Survivor
1.23 Liam & Valerie Brennan Florida Pearl Novice Chase (Grade 2) 3m
Dual Stayers Hurdle winner Flooring Porter can retain his unbeaten record over fences. The Gavin Cromwell-trained eight-year-old made a promising start to his chasing career when readily landing the odds at Cheltenham last month.
Although he faces a stiffer test here, the small field should prove ideal for his front running tactics. Quilixios returned from a long absence to win on his chasing debut at Limerick last month. A former Triumph Hurdle winner, he was probably always going to struggle in his five-year-old season, so it is possible that his best days may yet be ahead of him.
SELECTION: FLOORING PORTER
Next Best: Quilixios
1.58 Ryans Cleaning Handicap Chase 2m 5f 70y
Idas Boy, a horse with a very good record fresh, can get his season off to a winning start. Noel Meade’s nine-year-old has won first-time out for the last two campaigns, so should be primed for this contest. Although pulled up at the corresponding meeting last year, he had previously shown his aptitude for this track when placed over hurdles.
Top-weight Adamantly Chosen, who was campaigned in Grade 1 company for much of last season, can readily be forgiven a below par run at the festival here in April as it came at the end of a long year.
He is much better judged on his impressive Grade 3 win at the track last October.
SELECTION: IDAS BOY
Next Best: Adamantly Chosen
3.08 Colm Quinn BMW Novice Handicap Hurdle 2m160y
Sonny May has scope for further improvement this term now that he enters handicap company.
A real eyecatcher when fifth in a maiden hurdle over course and distance last November, the six-year-old ran way below par when a beaten favourite next time but was much better when third at Naas on his final run of the campaign. Provided that he is fit and ready for this assignment, he can go close.
Recent Dundalk winner Walhaan has to be a danger off a very exploitable hurdles’ rating. The Ciaran Murphy-trained seven-year-old has only had the eight starts over flights, so remains open to progression.
SELECTION: SONNY MAY
Next Best: Walhaan
3.43 Mervyn Gray Construction(Pro/Am) INH Flat Race 2m160y
Runner-up at Thurles on his rules debut last month, Gordon Elliott’s The Enabler can go one better in this finale.
The Walk In The Park gelding, who was sent off favourite at the Tipperary track, showed more than enough to suggest he wouldn’t be long in getting his head in front.
Provided that there is nothing out of the ordinary amongst the debutants, the four-year-old can win.
Scamall Bawn, a debut winner at Cork last month, should improve from that initial experience but will need to be smart to concede 7lb to the Gigginstown House Stud-owned Elliott representative.
SELECTION: THE ENABLER
Next Best: Scamall Bawn