1:30
ROSSLARE STRAND finished 3rd in a decent maiden at Fairyhouse last July and is worth including despite the absence. WITCH OF THE WOOD should also come on from her debut in October when the soft ground probably found her out in the closing stages, but she wasn’t beaten far and should come on for the run and a winter on her back.
2:05
MICKEY THE STEEL signed off last season with a string of good efforts and he could gain a deserved win on his comeback. HALF NUTZ was a winner here in October and warrants respect despite a 5lb rise.
2:40
SUPER CUB looks to be a shrewd piece of recruitment for Denis Hogan and could easily defy a mark of 77. IT’LL DO MY DAY and PANDEMIC PRINCESS are both fit from their efforts on the all-weather at Dundalk and are also worth including in an open race.
3:15
ZEPHRON ran well in this race last season (finished 4th) and should go well again under similar conditions. COSMIC VEGA should appreciate the drop in class after spending most of his 2021 campaign at a higher level, whilst ACQUIESCENT has been running well on the all-weather at Dundlak and should have a fitness edge.
3:50
A difficult Premier Handicap to work out, but the unexposed pair of WEST COAST and MARKAZ PANAME look the most likely to improve as 3-year-olds and could prove to be better than handicaps in time.
4:25
JASON THE MILITANT is a talented hurdler, and he won a Listed race here back in Ocotber, he should be in the mix along with the unexposed LICENCE, who could be anything.
