John O’Riordan

12.30 BAR ONE RACING

JUVENILE HURDLE

(GRADE 3) 2M

Espoir D’Allen remains unbeaten after just the three starts and looks a very exciting prospect. Winner of his sole outing in France, he has done everything that has been asked of him since arriving in this country. He faces a stiffer task on this occasion, as one would expect in a Grade 3 contest but he looks well up to the task.

Mitchouka was beaten the minimum margin on his hurdling debut at Thurles but has made up for that since. Impressive wins at Fairyhouse and Punchestown have seen him take high rank amongst this season’s juvenile hurdlers.

Selection: ESPOIR D’ALLEN

Next best: Mitchouka

2.05 BAR ONE RACING

HANDICAP HURDLE

(GRADE A) 2M

Veinard is a regular competitor in these big field handicap hurdles but has yet to land a big prize. His hold-up style requires plenty of luck in running but some day soon it will all come together and he can finally gain his just rewards. The booking of Denis O’Regan is clearly significant as he will ride the Elliott runner with nerves of steel and arrive there at the last moment.

Ben Dundee was a decent winner for Gordon Elliott on his recent stable debut and can provide the chief threat. He had plenty of useful form last season and seemed to take a step forward last time.

Selection: VEINARD

Next best: Ben Dundee

3.10 BAR ONE RACING

PORTERSTOWN HOUSE

HANDICAP CHASE

(GRADE B) 3M 5F

Poormans Hill ran a huge race from out of the handicap in the Troytown at Navan last weekend and will take beating now. Although the quick turnaround is obviously a worry, he has won off shorter breaks in the past. Undeniably well treated off his current mark, he has stamina to prove but certainly wasn’t at the end of his latest outing.

Presenting Percy was a leading handicap hurdler last season and is an intriguing competitor in this race. Very lightly raced over fences, he could be a blot in the handicap off this mark. Connections must feel that the longer trip will give him a better chance to compete against more seasoned chasers.

Selection: POORMANS HILL

Next best: Presenting Percy

3.40 DEVENISH AND

MEATH GAA RACE DAY

(PRO/AM) FLAT RACE 2M

Dinons finished second to a very well regarded horse at this venue on his only start to date. He was thought to have needed the run on that occasion so better is expected now. Despite his powerful stable having a number of leading bumper horses this season, he is regarded as being right up there with the very best of them. It will be somewhat of a surprise if he fails to deliver for the Elliott team.

Imperial Grey is the dark horse in the field, having never raced under any form of rules. However, coming from the Mullins camp he has to be considered a potential winner.

Selection: DINONS

Next best: Imperial Grey