2:10 – Tom Quinlan Electrical Maiden Hurdle
The ex-Paul Nicholls trained Gold Bullion is of obvious interest on his first start for Henry De Bromhead, but after a long time off the track and the application of a tongue tie, he is probably best watched. Instead, this race looks likely to go to ZAIDI from the Gordon Elliott yard. A winner of a Point-to-Point and a Thurles bumper, a race he won by 17-lengths, he has already confirmed that he will handle the soft ground and stay this trip and with the yard in form he looks the part to make a winning debut over hurdles.
3:20 – Boylesports Mares Novice Chase (Listed Race)
The return to a right-handed track should suit Allegorie de Vassy, but she had a very hard race at Cheltenham and on soft ground, it won’t be an easy task to give weight away on soft ground just 22-days later. So, we will take an each-way chance on LIMERICK LACE instead. Gavin Cromwell’s mare has won twice over fences and was only 3-lengths behind Journey with Me in a Grade 3 when last seen at Naas 5-weeks ago. At the weights, she only has 1 pound to find with the Willie Mullins trained favourite and that makes her very interesting at this level.
3:55 – Fred Kenny Lifetime Services to Racing Ladies National Handicap Chase
This will be a 59th career start for CHARLIE STOUT, but in races like this it can be important to focus on the jockey booking as much as the horse. There are few better riders in this field than Jody Townend and her booking for Shane Nolan’s mount could be very significant. He got the better of Darver Star in a Handicap Chase at Wexford last week, winning on a mark of 123, but gets to race here off 119 and looks very well treated. He has held his form relatively well this season, especially when getting his preferred softer conditions, with a 2nd placed finish behind Stumptown at Thurles in January probably the standout piece of form in this field. This looks like a good opportunity for a 4th win over fences and if he is over last week’s effort, he should be hard to beat.
4:30 – INH Stallion Owners EBF Novice Handicap Hurdle
Things didn’t go to plan for FAVORI DE CHAMPDOU in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham, but he remains a progressive horse and the return to softer ground should surely help him. He won a Grade 2 at Limerick on Soft ground in December, beating the now 139 rated (and Albert Bartlett 4th) Letsbeclearaboutit by 4-lengths. On that evidence, an opening handicap mark of 137 doesn’t look beyond him, especially with Corey McGivern taking off a useful 7lbs and with conditions to suit, he looks an obvious each-way bet.
