11.40 I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle 2m 4f 50yds
Point-to-point winner Mossy Fen Park can go one better here having finished runner-up on his first start under rules at Punchestown last month.
Having stayed on strongly behind a well regarded opponent, the Henry de Bromhead-trained gelding should appreciate the slightly longer distance of this race.
Great Universe also gave the impression that he would improve for a step up in trip when keeping on into third at Clonmel on his reappearance.
The seven-year-old should have come on from that first outing since June, so also has to be a contender.
SELECTION: MOSSY FEN PARK
Next best: Great Universe
12.13 Connolly’s RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle 2m 1f
Bleu D’enfer probably won’t get a better opportunity to get his head in front. The Stuart Crawford-trained five-year-old has finished runner-up on three of his 10 starts, including when just losing out by a short head at Perth in April. A reproduction of that latter effort would almost certainly be good enough in this company.
Point-to-point winner Purse Price should be capable of winning races under rules this season.
The mare would have been placed but for unseating at the final flight at Clonmel last time.
SELECTION: BLEU D’ENFER
Next best: Purse Price
12.48 Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle 2m 1f
Baltinglass Hill has been running consistently of late yet now finds himself rated lower than when winning twice during 2021. Trainer Philip Rothwell has his string firing on all cylinders at present so the Cable Bay gelding has to hold strong claims in what is quite a competitive heat for this grade.
Caoimhes Pet beat Baltinglass Hill when the pair met at Killarney in October but won’t find it easy to uphold that form on revised terms. Nonetheless, with Eoin McCarthy making the long journey from his Athea, Co Limerick base, the mare has to be of interest.
SELECTION: BALTINGLASS HILL
Next best: Caoimhes Pet
1.23 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase 2m 4f
Ask Anything is a thoroughly unexposed gelding who could prove far too strong for this opposition.
A former point-to-point winner, the Gavin Cromwell-trained five-year-old shaped with promise on three bumper starts before winning his maiden hurdle at Limerick. However, it is the form of his runner-up effort on handicap debut at Navan that makes him stand out. Having also finished second on his chasing debut last time, he has proven he has the right credentials.
Joshua Webb was entitled to need the run on his return from a long absence when well beaten here last month but shaped with distinct promise when finishing second at Cork on his latest run.
SELECTION: ASK ANYTHING
Next best: Joshua Webb
1.58 Metcollect Handicap Chase 2m 4f
Eagle Terrace could be the answer if the first-time cheekpieces have the desired effect. A winner over fences at Cartmel in July, the Noel Kelly trained five-year-old caught the eye when staying on nicely over hurdles in a higher grade at this track on his penultimate start. Given that the son of Gleneagles can race off a 7lb lower mark over fences, he should be capable of making his presence felt.
Evies Vladimir has been raised 11lb for his neck win at Clonmel last month. However, with the runner-up going on to score easily next time, there is merit to that particular form. Kieren Buckley claims back a valuable 3lb which should somewhat ease the task.
SELECTION: EAGLE TERRACE
Next best: Evies Vladimir
2.33 Metcollect Oil Recycling Hunters Chase 3m
Trainer David Christie sets a puzzle in saddling four runners here but the exciting young stayer Ferns Lock has the most scope for improvement.
Winner of seven of his eight runs to date, the six-year-old was rather surprisingly overturned at short odds at the Punchestown Festival back in April but remains a gelding of huge potential.
Stablemate Vaucelet won this race last year on ground which would have been plenty soft enough for him. Whether that left its mark or not, the eight-year-old has failed to win in six subsequent starts. At his best, he is undoubtedly one of the best hunter chasers in training but he has questions to answer at the present time.
SELECTION: FERNS LOCK
Next best: Vaucelet
3.08 Metcollect Metal Recycling (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race 2m 1f
Locally-trained mare Mongibello should prove difficult to beat in this finale. Third on her only point-to-point start, the Stuart Crawford-trained five-year-old made a hugely promising racecourse debut when runner-up in a listed bumper at Navan last month.
Granted normal improvement from that outing, she can record a first career success. Quint Major probably ran as well as could have been expected when runner-up to a very exciting prospect at this track last time. He, too, will be all the better for that initial experience so has to be regarded as a definite threat.
SELECTION: MONGIBELLO
Next best: Quint Major
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