We have eight runners in the Grade 1 Mares Novice Hurdle over 2m 4f. Ashroe Diamond (Paul) looks the best of ours. She likes this track, the trip will suit and she’ll handle the ground. Conor McNamara won on Eabha Grace at Limerick last month and retains the ride here. She has her chance on ratings and the ground will suit. Got Glory (Jack Foley) had a lot of problems early in the season but is certainly one to look forward to next season. She lacks experience for a race like this. Hauturiere (Brian Hayes) was second to Eabha Grace at Limerick but the rain probably won’t arrive in time for her today. Lot Of Joy (Nice de Boinville) disappointed badly in the mares novices at Cheltenham. We’re putting a hood on her today and the nicer ground will be a big help. Night And Day (Daryl Jacob) missed Cheltenham due a little setback. She has an each-way chance. Nikini (Patrick) ran poorly at Cheltenham and we will be delighted if she surprises us and goes close here. Pink In The Park (Philip Enright) is still a maiden and lacks experience for this. The run should put her right for the new season.
We run four in the 2m 4f novice hurdle. Ho My Lord (Mark Walsh) was unplaced in the Ballymore but we haven’t lost faith in him. His future might lie over fences but he is one to keep an eye on. Nick Rockett (Danny) won a maiden at Naas and needs to improve to get involved here. Parmenion (Paul) has picked up a lot of experience and the fact that Paul has opted for him is a tip in itself. The Gunner Yeats (Brian Hayes) won well at Thurles last time and the second has won since. He needs a longer trip but if there’s a fast pace he might come into it.
We have two in the Grade 2 Novice Hurdle over 2 miles. Hercule Du Seuil (Mark Walsh) had some great early season form before disappointing in the Royal Bond here. He has a lot of ability but will need his A game if he is to win today. Hunters Yarn (Paul) was thrown in at the deep end in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham but is back to novice company here. The conditions suit and we think he will go very close.
Dinoblue (Mark Walsh) goes for the 2 mile Novice Handicap Chase. She was quite unlucky at Cheltenham and even with top-weight has a big chance here. If she jumps better than she did at Cheltenham she will take a lot of beating.
We have six in the Gold Cup Chase over 2m 4f but we still might have to play second fiddle to Mighty Potter as was the case at the Dublin Racing Festival. Adamantly Chosen (Brian Hayes) would need rain to have a chance. Appreciate It (Paul) was a shade unlucky in the Turners Novices Chase at Cheltenham and has a very good chance here. Authorized Art (Danny) would need good ground to be seen at his best. Flame Bearer (Sean O’Keeffe) likes this track but would prefer softer ground. James du Berlais (Daryl Jacob) is a course winner here and with Daryl back on board could run very well. Sir Gerhard (Patrick) got no run at all at Cheltenham and if he puts his jumping together here he has a definite chance.
We have two newcomers in the Tattersalls Sales Bumper. Patrick rides Grand Slam Sam who is a lovely prospect by Blue Bresil. We will hear a lot about him in the future. However, this race might be coming too soon as he is more an autumn type. Punch Perfect (Charlie Mullins) is another we like but he might still be a bit backward. We will be delighted if either horse finishes in the first three.
