2.02 BOYLE Sports Best Odds Guaranteed Maiden Hurdle 2m 175yd

While Columbus’ hurdle debut didn’t suggest he’ll soon recoup the €400,000 connections paid for the Group 1-placed flat recruit, his nine-length second showed promise against a more experienced hurdler in Midnight Jet, who followed up here on Thursday.

Mr Hollywood was behind them in third and got off the mark on Wednesday. Similar progression can be expected from Paul Townend’s mount as he drops back in trip.

His stablemate Leader Allen may need the run on his first start since April 2025, but it’s worth noting that since then, the horse he beat into third in a Grade 3 flat race since scored at Grade 1 level.

Young Rebel’s bumper win has also worked out well, but Emmet Mullins’ and J.P. McManus’ recruit hasn’t been seen since his sole start last November.

Grade 3-placed bumper mare Tiktok Casey and 101-rated flat horse Eastwatch have shorter absences to overcome on their hurdle bows.

SELECTION: COLUMBUS

Next best: Eastwatch

2.37 BOYLE Sports Galway Tribes Handicap Hurdle 2m 175yd

Thursday’s Galway Hurdle winner Putapoundinthejar was declared a non-runner for this ‘consolation race’ on Friday afternoon, but his taking performance remains relevant to Autumn Twist, who finished half a length behind him at Bellewstown prior to that, with another half a length back to Red Glory in third.

The winner was admittedly under less pressure that day, but his subsequent success still reflects favourably on his beaten rivals, with a preference here for the mare, who benefits from Alan O’Sullivan’s valuable 5lb claim.

She should be none the worse for her run on the flat here on Thursday, while Red Glory may come here a fitter horse, as that run was just his second run since winning at this track last October.

Galway Hurdle third Gameball boosted the form of Paul’s Dream, who he finished 10 lengths behind at Kilbeggan last time out, suggesting that Tony Mullins’ mare may be able to defy her latest 10lb rise.

The previously well-regarded Kimi De Mai is an intriguing prospect at this level and deserves her place on the shortlist, as does Path d’Oroux, who has dropped down to a workable mark.

SELECTION: AUTUMN TWIST

Next best: Red Glory

3.12 BOYLE Sports Handicap Hurdle (Listed) 2m 6f 108yd

Emmet Mullins appears to have found an ideal opportunity for a big pot and further blacktype with his classy mare Dream On Baby.

The six-year-old is open to further improvement, but may not even need to have progressed, as her placings behind Feet Of A Dancer and Wodhooh garner her plenty of respect as it is.

No Joseph O’Brien horse can be discounted given the stable’s current form, as advertised by Comfort Zone’s valuable win in the amateur handicap on Monday.

Now the mount of Harry Cobden, the dual-purpose gelding remains at a nice mark over hurdles, having finished third in the 2024 running off 2lb lower. Ifiwerearichman’s Galway Festival win came over two miles in 2023 and the half-brother to Fiddlerontheroof is open to further progression as he steps up in trip.

Two runs this summer, including a fourth behind the subsequent Galway Hurdle winner, sets him up nicely for today.

SELECTION: DREAM ON BABY

Next best: Comfort Zone

3.52 Electric Galway Irish EBF Mares INH Flat Race 2m 175yd

Willie Mullins has won five of the last six runnings, which enhances the appeal of Patrick Mullins’ mount, Fleur Dino, a Doctor Dino sister to Grade 1-winning Fleur In The Park, who also earned blacktype in bumpers.

Fellow Closutton newcomer Glens Sonata, the ride of Jody Townend, also has a desirable pedigree, being by smart young sire Poet’s Word, out of a blacktype sister to Glens Melody.

Their former stablemate Madame Du Berlais, now with Terence O’Brien, is a possible danger, though the bumper in which she finished second didn’t look the strongest contest.

Point-to-point winners Fortunate Miss, Sarahs Lawn and Tamara Jane are others to consider, with a preference for the latter following her promising third on rules debut, with the runner-up subsequently going one better.

SELECTION: FLEUR DINO

Next best: Glens Sonata

4.27 Whiriskey Refrigeration Irish EBF Maiden 1m 73yd

Victory Speech shaped like a smart colt on debut at the Curragh two weeks ago, when he finished well to take second, beaten half a length by a colt with Group 1 aspirations.

Interestingly, Action, who finished third in that race last year went on to win this maiden for the same connections and later went close in the Futurity Trophy.

His stablemate Thomas Chippendale, who cost €300,000 as a yearling, also warrants plenty of respect in what is a disappointingly small field, though all four have appealing profiles.

Zarak Pusha is the only other contender with the benefit of a run, but the Killarney fourth doesn’t appear to be held in particularly high regard, given that he was sent off 16/1 on debut - a big price for most Joseph O’Brien juveniles.

Roy Bean has a useful dual-purpose pedigree and his trainer has already been on the scoresheet this week.

SELECTION: VICTORY SPEECH

Next best: Thomas Chippendale

5.00 Bathshack Maiden 1m 73yd

Robert Ng purchased Gliondar, by Romanised whom he raced, following the colt’s narrow defeat on debut and he will have been pleased to see the more experienced winner follow up next time out and raise his rating to 91.

Gliondar was well-supported on the day, but his inexperience told, and it was surprising that he finished as close as he did, given how green he ran. He can be expected to step forward significantly for his in-form team here.

The well-bred Royal Bones is another expected to build on a promising debut and it’s informative that he is Shane Foley’s choice over Saliba, who has run well on both his starts. The above horses’ form appears stronger than that of Bang Bang, Storzando and Suir Monad, though all are worth considering based on promise they’ve shown.

SELECTION: GLIONDAR

Next best: Royal Bones

5.35 Ardilaun Hotel Handicap 7f

Stall 12 is the only negative for Apache Outlaw, who is at a career-low mark and 8lb lower than when second over course and distance last year.

The six-year-old has been running well of late and deserves a change of luck to gain his first win since December 2024.

San Aer’s two course wins from 13 starts came over an extended mile, but given how he was headed close home over that trip on Tuesday, this trip may now be a positive and it’s worth noting he previously won over seven furlongs at the Curragh.

Storm Averted took in the same two races for his previous trainer 12 months ago and the way he won this race suggests he’s capable of winning off his current mark, though he needs to improve significantly from last month’s seasonal return. Bay Of Dreams, in first-time cheekpieces, and British raider The Sweet Escape are others worth considering.

SELECTION: APACHE OUTLAW

Next best: San Aer

6.05 McDonogh Capital Investments Handicap 1m 3f 180yd

Royal Saxo’s third and latest start for Tony Martin was much his best, over significantly further than his previous. Today’s trip looks ideal, as does his current rating and his yard couldn’t be in better form.

Granville Street finished second in this three years ago and the now eight-year-old lines up in good form, having finished fourth in a hurdle here on Wednesday.

Fratas is another who ran well earlier this week, finishing second over hurdles on her second start for Joseph O’Brien.

The Fracas mare won here three years ago, kicking off a four-timer for her previous yard and progressed to win off 82, albeit under a 7lb claimer.

She looks to be reasonably rated today, while last year’s winner Thatwilldoso may find it difficult to follow up off her current mark, but the in-form mare remains an each-way chance.

SELECTION: ROYAL SAXO

Next best: Granville Street