We have three runners in the Mares Listed Novice Hurdle over 2 miles. Nikini (Patrick) was unplaced in the Mares Novices Hurdle and may not be up to this on soft ground. Saylavee (Danny) seems to have lost her form and might find this trip too short. Paul has decided to ride Night And Day who is the pick of ours. She will like this ground and track and if she puts in her best she should go close.
We run three in the 2 mile Champion Novice Hurdle. Diverge (Patrick) chased Facile Vega home in the Supreme and is improving. He is a course and distance winner here and can’t be discounted. Facile Vega (Paul) won a bumper over this course and distance and his Supreme run should be good enough to win here. He is in very good form. Il Etait Temps (Danny) won’t be far away but might find his stablemates too sharp.
We have four in the 2 mile handicap hurdle. Cash Back was second to Mister Policeman at Cork last time and Kieran Callaghan retains the ride here. His valuable 7lb claim will be a big help. Tax For Max (Daryl Jacob) ran well enough at Fairyhouse and a reproduction of that form should see him finish in the first half dozen today. Bialystok (Danny) benefitted from a change of tactics when winning his maiden at Naas and with a similar ride today should have every chance. Tekao (Simon Torrens) was unplaced in the Boodles and will really have to improve to win here. He does have a light weight which is an asset in these big handicaps.
We have four runners in the Grade 1 Champion Chase over 2 miles. Blue Lord (Daryl Jacob) and Chacun Pour Soi (Danny) have been disappointing recently but hopefully they might manage a share of the prize money today. Energumene (Paul) won this race last year and with the help of all the weekend rain this should be a straightforward task. Gentleman de Mee (Mark Walsh) is not out of the reckoning. He is a spring horse who comes here fresh and will like this track.
We have two nice types in the Goffs Bumper. Jody rides Milo Lises and Patrick has chosen Predators Gold which could be an indication that he might fare best of the two. However, this is a very hot renewal and hopefully they will both run well.
We have four chances in the Champion Novice Chase over 3 miles. Paul has picked Appreciate It because he thinks he will be better suited by this trip than when he was third to Flame Bearer over 2m 3f at Fairyhouse. Classic Getaway (Danny) has had a quiet season and probably lacks experience for a race like this. The trip won’t be a problem for him. James du Berlais (Daryl Jacob) needs to improve and might just be fighting for minor honours here. Sir Gerhard (Patrick) ran well enough at Fairyhouse last time and his rating suggests he is the best horse in the race. However, the worry is if he will stay this trip.
Ninth Loch (Patrick) makes his debut in the bumper. He is not really bred to be a bumper horse but he does things very nicely at home. However, the rain softened ground might inconvenience him.
