We have two runners in the 4yo maiden hurdle over 2m 4f. Ho My Lord (Mark Walsh) is a lovely horse that we like a lot. He won a flat maiden in France but does lack race experience over hurdles. Lot Of Joy (Paul) will have no problem with the ground and trip. She was second on her hurdling debut at Cork last month and that run should have left her right for today.
Maze Runner (Paul) goes for the Pertemps Handicap Hurdle Qualifier over 3 miles. He has been running well on the flat and is a course and distance winner here over hurdles. We think there is another nice handicap hurdle to be won with him and he is certainly not one to ignore each-way at a big price.
We run two in the Jack de Bromhead Grade 1 Hurdle over 3 miles. Mr Adjudicator (Brian Hayes) likes this track but didn’t exactly set the world on fire last season. This is his first run back and he faces a big task. Saldier (Paul) is fit from two recent runs and we will be very happy if he finishes in the first three today.
We have three in the Grade 1 Savilles Chase over 3 miles. Franco De Port (Danny) is a course winner and the more rain that falls the better his chance. The opposite is the case for Kemboy (Paul). He has a chance the way the ground is riding at the moment but any more rain wouldn’t help his cause. He loves this track and won this race a few years ago. Hopefully he will finish in the money. Royal Rendezvous (Brian Hayes) tackles 3 miles for the first time. He can be very keen in races and unless he settles here he will find the trip difficult.
I Am Maximus (Paul) goes for the beginners chase over 2m 5f. He threw away his chance by jumping left at Fairyhouse so we are hoping this track will suit better. First-time cheek pieces should help him concentrate.
We have two runners in the bumper. Castlebawn North (Elliot Oghren) is a half-brother to Castlebawn West who won the Paddy Power Chase here two years ago. He’s a chaser in the making and the softer the ground the better for him. This could be a big ask for him on his debut. Ile Atlantique (Patrick) is a real nice acquisition from France where he finished third in a hurdle. He works well at home and we are looking forward to running him here.
