Icare Allen (Mark Walsh) makes his hurdling debut in the 3YO maiden hurdle over 2 miles. He was a very impressive winner of an AQPS race in France and is a slick jumper. He is going well enough at home to give a good account.
We have three in the beginners chase over 2m 1f. Gentleman De Mee (Sam Torrens) is a tough ride but jumps well and is suited by soft ground. Mt Leinster (Sean O’Keeffe) is also a difficult ride. He is a course winner and if he settles to the task he could have enough at the finish to get involved. He wouldn’t too much more rain. Haut En Couleurs (Paul) is making his chasing debut. He had some very nice runs over hurdles last season and gets a 6lb weight allowance here. He jumps well and if he brings his hurdles form to fences he won’t be too far away.
Chacun Pour Soi (Paul) goes for the Grade 1 Chase over 2m 1f. He was disappointing in the Tingle Creek at Sandown last time but he is now back at a track he loves. He is the highest rated runner and he comes here from Closutton in great form. He won this race last year and we are hoping he will win it again today.
We have three of the six runners in the Grade 1 Future Champions Novice Hurdle over 2 miles. Arctic Warrior (Mark Walsh) ran very disappointingly at Fairyhouse last time but we don’t think we have seen the best of him yet. When he puts everything together he has the ability to be a top class novice. Farout (Sean O’Keeffe) ran very well when fourth behind Statuaire in the Royal Bond. A little tweak on the tactical side could put him in position to earn a nice payday. Grangee (Paul) was very good when winning her maiden at Fairyhouse last month but this represents a major step up in class. She won a grade two bumper around here and we are expecting her to play a significant part in the finish today.
We run four in the valuable Paddy Power Chase over 3 miles. We are hoping for a good run from Class Conti (Danny) but he has a lot of weight. Paul has picked Augusta Gold who has been working well and runs well fresh. She is definitely in with a chance. Lord Royal (Jack Foley) has yet to show his best. Jack’s 5lb claim could be a big help in a race like this. He looks a solid each-way chance. Stones And Roses (Brian Hayes) ran really well at Fairyhouse last month and has a nice racing weight here. All the recent rain will help his chance. He could collect a good share of the prize money.
Embassy Gardens (Patrick) makes his debut in the bumper over 2m 4f for owners Sean and Bernardine Mulryan. He is a son of Adriana Des Mottes who won three races for us. He does things nicely at home and we are really looking forward to seeing how he gets on today.
