12:30 Jeremy’s Flame
The opening race looks to be the perfect opportunity for JEREMY’S FLAME to break her duck over fences. She has chased home 3 very talented rivals so far this season, most notably when 2nd to Concertista at Cork 4-weeks ago. That form took a boost over Christmas and as Jeremy’s Flame was only beaten by half-a-length, a repeat of that run should be enough to win at this level.
1:00 Blue Lord
BLUE LORD achieved far more than any of his 4 rivals did over hurdles, and it will be a huge surprise if he doesn’t make it 2-2 over fences. He was a ready winner of a beginner’s chase at Fairyhouse in December, making all the running and coming away in the closing stages and should repeat the dose here to outclass his rivals, with Lifetime Ambition the most likely to chase him home.
1:35 Fighting Fit
This is a tricky Handicap Chase to try and work out, but FIGHTING FIT is less exposed than most and makes a lot of appeal at the bottom of the weights. He can run on a mark of 111, which is 5lbs lower than his hurdles mark and he ran very well on his handicap debut at Fairyhouse last month when he finished 2nd. Although he was beaten b 5-lengths, he was over 10-lengths clear of the rest and a 2lb rise for that effort seems very fair and should mean he is still competitive in this grade.
2:10 Grand Jury
The last 2 winners of this race have gone on to win the Ballymore Novices hurdle at the Cheltenham festival and there is every chance that this year’s winner could be amongst the 7-runners who go to post. GRAND JURY makes the most appeal, he was an impressive winner of a Punchestown bumper last march and got the job done on hurdles debut in November, despite looking in need of a stronger test of stamina. This race should be run to suit him, and he could continue his progression for Henry De Bromhead.
2:45 Bronn
This isn’t the deepest maiden hurdle and so it may be best to stick with the obvious favourite BRONN. He won his only start in Bumpers for the Crawford team at Ballinrobe back in April and has since been purchased by Simon Munir and Isaac Souede and has been switched to Willie Mullins. He looked a nice prospect when winning that Ballinrobe race and should make a winning start over hurdles.
3:20 Paddy’s Planet
There are plenty of experienced campaigners in this handicap hurdle but if there is an unknown quantity in the field then it is certainly PADDY’S PLANET. Ross O’Sullivan’s charge landed the odds to win a maiden hurdle at Limerick in November and enters handicap company on a workable mark of 106. He is a relatively lightly raced winning pointer and there could be more to come on just his 5th start under rules.
3:50 Famous Agent
This is guesswork with no real form to go on, but FAMOUS AGENT is a half-brother to 3 winners, including Marble Sands who won a bumper for Fergal O’Brien last October. His Sire, No Risk at All, has a decent record in this sphere and so he could run well on debut for Liz Doyle at a decent price.
