1.07 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase 2m 3f 150y
The Henry de Bromhead-trained Jasko Des Dames can make a winning debut over fences. A six-race maiden over hurdles, the five-year-old has been placed on three of those races. A former French bumper winner, the gelding has the potential to make up into a useful chaser this season.
An Peann Dearg would have a bit to find with a few of these on hurdles ratings, but Paul Nolan’s seven-year-old has plenty of chasing experience for a race of this nature. The Well Chosen gelding might be able to make that count.
SELECTION: JASKO DES DAMES
Next best: An Peann Dearg
1.42 Jim And Kay Whitty Memorial Handicap Chase 2m 3f 150y
Well-handicapped over fences relative to her hurdles mark, Ballybawn Belter can record a first chasing win. Three times successful over flights, the mare can race off a 10lb lower mark in this discipline. The locally-trained six-year-old is open to plenty of improvement.
A winner at Killarney in August, Walnut Beach ran well off his revised mark when third at Listowel last time. The Pat Flynn-trained gelding should again play a leading role.
SELECTION: BALLYBAWN BELTER
Next best: Walnut Beach
2.17 BoyleSports Best Odds Guaranteed Maiden Hurdle 2m 110y
A fair sort in bumpers last term, Fleur In The Park can make a winning debut over hurdles. The Andrew Slattery-trained gelding made a winning debut at Roscommon in September, before finishing runner-up on his next three starts. His Navan second in a listed bumper reads particularly well in the context of this race.
Point-to-point winner Marcus Furius made a promising debut over flights, when second at Clonmel in October. A reproduction of that run would see him play a leading role here.
SELECTION: FLEUR IN THE PARK
Next best: Marcus Furius
2.50 Remembering Bridget Hillis Maiden Hurdle 2m 4f
Recent Cork runner-up Keep Kool Coko can improve a place on that promising effort. Always prominent on that occasion, the Andrew Slattery-trained gelding stayed on strongly once headed after two out. With the benefit of that experience to call upon, the four-year-old should be hard to beat here.
Runner-up on both point-to-point starts, Paul Collins is of obvious interest on his debut for trainer Gordon Elliott. Robcour do particularly well with the horses they buy out of the point-to-point fields, so this one deserves maximum respect.
SELECTION: KEEP KOOL COKO
Next best: Paul Collins
3.25 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Hurdle 2m 4f
The Willie Mullins-trained Aurora Vega is hard to get away from here. A leading bumper performer last term, the well-bred mare made a winning debut over flights at Cork, when easily justifying short odds. While this represents a step up in class, the six-year-old has the potential to be competing in graded races later in the year.
Course and distance winner Ms Agartha Yeats will need to step up on her latest couple of efforts, but could take minor honours if doing so. Making her first start for new connections, a change of scenery may help.
SELECTION: AURORA VEGA
Next best: Ms Agartha Yeats
4.00 Slaney View Honda Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f
Killarney second Duke Silver can strike here for the Joseph O’Brien stable. A half-brother to a Grade 3 winner over fences, the four-year-old can gain a first career success.
Paul Townend is an intriguing booking on the lightly-raced gelding.
Cruisin Susan, a winner here over three miles in August, is equally adaptable at this trip.
The locally-trained mare is sure to have had this meeting as a target for some time.
SELECTION: DUKE SILVER
Next best: Cruisin Susan
4.33 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race 2m
Highly tried on her final two starts last season, Glens Lullaby should find this easier.
Third on her racecourse debut at Tipperary in October, the Peter Fahey-trained mare stepped up on that run when second at Galway next time. Although struggling in listed and Grade 2 races subsequently, this looks a nice opportunity.
Point-to-point winner Working Away has been off the track a long time, but would be a threat if ready. Gordon Elliott can often have one fit after an absence, so it wouldn’t be a huge surprise to see the six-year-old get involved.
SELECTION: GLENS LULLABY
Next best: Working Away