11.36 SIS Supporting Irish

Racing Beginners Chase

2m 5f 152yd

A beginners’ chase with a rich history, with the last two Grand National winners having made their debuts over fences here (though both were beaten on the day), while other Grade 1 performers involved in recent years include Impaire Et Passe, Corbetts Cross and Monkfish.

There are two clear standouts in the line-up, and preference is for last season’s Albert Bartlett runner-up The Big Westerner, who was due to make her chasing debut at Cork last weekend but was withdrawn on account of (drying) ground. The point-to-point winner is lightly raced, was a Grade 2 winner at Limerick last Christmas and is in good hands with Henry de Bromhead to make an impact over fences.

On official hurdles ratings, Jimmy Du Seuil is superior to the mare, rated 15lb clear on 155 (though he must concede 7lb to her). Last season’s Coral Cup winner, who defied a 313-day layoff when winning at the Cheltenham Festival, is an exciting novice chasing prospect, but it’s hard to imagine he’ll be revved up to anything near his peak for this first start of the season. Stablemate Joystick might make a better chaser than hurdler and could be on the premises for a place, while Jacobs Ladder is entitled to improve from his chasing debut second at Naas.

SELECTION: THE BIG WESTERNER

Next best: Jimmy Du Seuil

12.09 Race And Stay Irish EBF Mares Handicap Chase

2m 4f 100yd

Miss Pronunciation appeared to be well fancied for a listed novice handicap chase here last Easter (SP 11/4), but her jumping could have been sharper and the test proved too much for her to handle at an extended two miles and one furlong. After blowing away the cobwebs at Wexford last month, she should be spot on for this and the extra distance now may be in her favour. She looks one who could be better than her mark of 120, if putting it all together. Her trainer and owner combined to win this race in 2019 with Demi Plie.

Cases can be made for several and a big run could be on the cards for True Testimony, who was just touched off in a listed mares’ handicap chase behind today’s rival Kiltealy Park last Easter. There’s an attractive swing at the weights now, when factoring in rider claims from the two occasions. Kiltealy Park was receiving 9lb from True Testimony then, now she must give the Ian Donoghue-trained mare 6lb.

SELECTION: MISS PRONUNCIATION

Next best: True Testimony

12.44 Easyfix Equine Handicap Chase (Listed) 2m 1f

The lack of a recent run is a concern, but if Mirazur West is sharp enough on his first start since May 1st, he ought to give this a real rattle off his mark of 138. He was well fancied when trying to provide Jody McGarvey with a farewell winner at the Punchestown Festival, and is 3lb higher now than when unable to keep up the gallop and finishing third there.

In a wide-open contest, top-weight Touch Me Not has the potential to really appreciate dropping in class from Grade 1 and Grade 2 company for the first time in six starts. The King Of Prs was second in this last year and should go well with Eoin Staples’ 7lb claim a help, while Dont Go Yet clearly isn’t a spring chicken a month away from his 12th birthday, but he remains a capable challenger.

SELECTION: MIRAZUR WEST

Next best: Touch Me Not

1.19 Jack McInerney Memorial Hurdle (Grade 3) 2m

An interesting clash of proven ability and potential. Murcia, a winner of the Grade 1 juvenile hurdle at the Aintree Grand National meeting, sets a strong standard with her rating of 141 - though others do have a race-fitness edge over her. The 13lb penalty for that top-level success means that the filly must concede 6lb to a field of geldings. She’s fully respected, but those couple of angles mean it could be worth taking her on today.

I’m Slippy is much more about potential, but he’s made quite the impression in winning both his starts to date and gets a tentative nod to cope with a big step up in class from readily landing a Cork maiden hurdle earlier this month. While the form of his debut win in the Tattersalls Ireland George Mernagh Memorial Sales Bumper has yet to really be tested, that race tends to produce classy winners. Talk The Talk, a Limerick maiden hurdle winner six weeks ago, might prove the duo’s biggest threat.

SELECTION: I’M SLIPPY

Next best: Murcia

1.53 Close Brothers Rated

Novice Hurdle 2m 4f 110yd

A trappy event in which L’ Evangeliste might have the tools to cope with what’s required. The form of his recent Galway maiden hurdle win was boosted by the runner-up winning well next time out. He might well improve for the step up in trip and he won’t be found wanting for fitness.

Top-weight Maverick Mack is even more unexposed and appeared to relish a good ease underfoot when winning at Gowran three weeks ago. Chase The Moon won a maiden hurdle on the same card and could easily have more progress to come.

SELECTION: L’ EVANGELISTE

Next best: Maverick Mack

2.25 Kettles Country House

Hotel Maiden Hurdle 2m

The in-form Gordon Elliott has been firing in plenty of maiden hurdle winners of late and Skylight Hustle could join that group here, especially since he has the advantage of a run under his girth already this season. The point-to-point winner was sent off the 15/8 favourite for a bumper here in January and he wasn’t beaten far when fourth in a bunched finish, but that race has worked out extremely well in terms of future winners. He likely met a smart sort when runner-up on his comeback over hurdles at Gowran three weeks ago.

Dysart Dolomite got the job done in an Ayr bumper on Scottish Grand National weekend, and represents top connections. He’s also bred in the purple, by Walk In The Park and a half-brother to the talented Grade 2 winner Dysart Dynamo. Casterly Rock has the benefit of five bumper runs to call on in his hurdling introduction and can finish among the main ones here.

SELECTION: SKYLIGHT HUSTLE

Next best: Dysart Dolomite

3.00 Summerhill Meath Senior Football Champions 2025

Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f 110yd

This is a deep enough contest and how the market interprets several of these will be telling. Must Go Now could be one to feature prominently for Eddie Cawley. He’s very lightly raced for a horse about to turn nine, won around here on New Year’s Day last season and his latest start when fifth in the valuable Albert Bartlett Triple Crown Series Final Handicap Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival was rock-solid. Conditions look fine for him.

A host of names could be flagged here as dangerous and it would be unwise to rule out Black Bamboo getting involved. He has run well enough off higher marks than this in the past, should cope with the ease underfoot and has both won and run well when returning from a break.

SELECTION: MUST GO NOW

Next best: Black Bamboo

3.30 Willie Elliott Memorial

(Pro/Am) INH Flat Race 2m

Gordon Elliott makes no secret of the fact that he’s always keen to win this race, named after his late uncle, and his team of three declared runners appear to give him a strong hand. Keep Him Company is the mount of Josh Williamson and makes his debut for Cullentra after changing hands for £220,000 following a point-to-point win on his only start in March.

Stablemate Generous Risk possibly wasn’t seen to best effect when third in a Cork point-to-point bumper last April, but he joined Elliott for £250,000 after his win between the flags at Belclare in March. Cloudio finished just in front of Generous Risk at Cork, and he’s one who looks set to continue his progress for new connections.

SELECTION: KEEP HIM COMPANY

Next best: Generous Risk