12.45 Download The New Tote App Beginners Chase 3m
This looks an excellent opportunity for Three Card Brag to notch a first win over fences, having run a cracker on his chasing debut when second at the Fairyhouse Winter Festival earlier this month behind Corbetts Cross. He’s entitled to sharpen up from that first run since the Punchestown Festival, and stepping up to three miles (from an extended two miles and five furlongs) can only be a positive too.
Monty’s Star finished just behind the selection on that occasion and looks the one to follow him home again. Digby ran respectably behind Klassical Dream last time at Thurles and holds place claims too.
SELECTION: THREE CARD BRAG
Next best: Monty’s Star
1.15 Tote, Never Beaten By SP Handicap Chase 3m
It looked as though Where It All Began was in need of the run last time at Fairyhouse in a ladies’ handicap chase, finishing down the field, and he could be a different proposition now stepping back up to three miles with cheekpieces added for the first time. Jack Kennedy was aboard for his only other win on New Year’s Day last year and reunites with him now for the first time since. He could be better than his mark of 122 if putting it all together.
Chosen Diamond won well two starts ago before coming down four fences from home when too early to know how he’d have fared at Clonmel last time. He could continue a decent campaign for Eddie Cawley. The Big Galloper has shown little this season but is a well handicapped horse on his old form.
SELECTION: WHERE IT ALL BEGAN
Next best: Chosen Diamond
1.45 Tote.ie 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle 2m 159yds
A chance is taken on hurdling newcomer Storm Heart on his debut for Willie Mullins and Gigginstown House Stud. The Storm The Stars gelding was rated 82 on the flat in France, where winning a mile and a half maiden, and he has been given plenty of time to acclimatise to his new surroundings.
Jeaniemacaroney has the benefit of two runs over hurdles and is entitled to be in the shake-up if stepping forward from her last start when third at this venue. The fact Jack Kennedy partners Hey Whatever is encouraging for her claims over stablemate Roboreti.
SELECTION: STORM HEART
Next best: Jeaniemacaroney
2.15 Tote Guarantee Available On Course & Tote.ie Hurdle
2m 3f
With testing ground expected this weekend, there should be plenty in Thedevilscoachman’s favour after finishing a safely-held seventh in the Troytown Chase when last seen. He has won around here before and was a winner of the Grade 2 Boyne Hurdle on his last start in this sphere in February 2022 (overall record of four wins from six hurdles appearances).
Sir Gerhard is a serious threat if delivering his ‘A’ game but he has been a little hit and miss over fences. He has the ability to win this but arguably isn’t the most consistent. Ashdale Bob is dangerous in this type of company but would be entitled to need the run after a 204-day break.
SELECTION: THEDEVILSCOACHMAN
Next best: Sir Gerhard
2.45 Tote Fantasy Handicap Hurdle 2m 3f
Plenty of these have question marks over them but Dancing Jeremy is pretty solid and gets a tentative vote after a respectable run last time when third to Petit King. The form of his penultimate start when beating Gaoth Chuil got a boost this week when that rival won a Pertemps Qualifier at Leopardstown.
Rodaniche makes his first appearance since February when disappointing in a much more competitive handicap than this. On his best form, he wouldn’t be without a squeak for an in-form yard. Harry Alonzo hasn’t been seen for 743 days and that is the obvious concern but he had some relatively decent form over hurdles in the past and is worth a market check, given his potentially handy opening mark of 118.
SELECTION: DANCING JEREMY
Next best: Rodaniche
3.15 Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle 2m 159yds
It was a fair effort from Sunwalk when fifth as a 125/1 shot at Naas last time given he got caught up in what looked a hot pace but still finished fifth, beaten seven lengths. If ridden with just a little more restraint on this occasion, he could well be in the shake-up.
The Big Cloud was very well backed last time when just finding one too good at Thurles. She demands respect again now, despite a 4lb rise for that showing.
SELECTION: SUNWALK
Next best: The Big Cloud
3.45 Irish Stallion Farms
EBF Mares INH Flat Race
2m 2f 79yds
Instant Tendance bumped into a couple of smart mares in a maiden hurdle at the Navan Racing Festival last time, suggesting she’s an improving mare. If continuing her progress here, she should be in the thick of things for Gordon Elliott, bringing a decent level of experience to the table.
Shaving is exquisitely bred as a half-sister to Allaho but needs to improve a fair deal from her debut run at Naas for Willie Mullins. That said, the stable’s runners are probably in a better place now than they were at that time of year. Point-to-point winners Glendaars Fortune, Roxhill Roise and Slotty Dotty are worthy of a second look in the market, while An Cailin Ciuin will appreciate the drop in class.
SELECTION: INSTANT TENDANCE
Next best: Glendaars Fortune
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