We have Feu Du Bresil (Danny) and Ho My Lord (Jody McGarvey) in the beginners chase over 2m 1f. Both ran very well in beginners chases last time and, while Marine Nationale will be tough to beat, stranger things have happened.
We run four in the Grade 1 Chase over 2m 1f. Dysart Dynamo (Danny) didn’t perform as well as he can when third at Navan last month and it’s hard see him being able to take on these top horses unless he finds significant improvement. Saint Roi (Jody McGarvey) has his chance if they go too fast up front and allow him to come with a run in final stages. Gentleman de Mee (Paul) and Dinoblue (Mark Walsh) have the ability to give the favourite Captain Guinness a good run for his money.
We also have four in the Grade 1 Novice Hurdle over 2 miles. Absurde (Danny) came home in good form from Melbourne. He needs to be smuggled into the race so he can utilise his flat speed at the end. Daddy Long Legs (Paul) was impressive when winning his maiden at Thurles and is an improving sort. The trip and ground will suit and we are expecting him to go very close. Predators Gold (Patrick) won a maiden over 2m 3f at Punchestown and drops back in trip here. We will learn a lot more today about his optimum distance with the Dublin Racing Festival and Cheltenham in mind. Westport Cove (Brian Hayes) won his maiden over 2m 4f at Thurles last month and it would be great if he can finish in the first four or five here.
We will have five runners in the Paddy Power Handicap Chase over 3 miles – Ha D’or won’t run. Paul has elected to ride Adamantly Chosen. He has a lot of weight but the drying conditions will suit. James du Berlais (Daryl Jacob) is having his first run in a handicap and could be well in off his rating of 148. Ontheropes (Sean O’Keeffe) is a Munster National winner but it is hard to see him replicating that victory here. En Beton (Mikey O’Sullivan) hasn’t really got the form to win and a first five finish would be great. Meetingofthewaters (Danny) won a lowly rated race in Cork but has a nice racing weight and enough experience to have a decent each-way chance here.
Joystick (Patrick) has his first run for us in the bumper. He’s a really likeable sort by Coastal Path who has been catching the eye at home. We’re very much looking forward to seeing him run here.
