Ryan McElligott

2.15 MARTINSTOWN OPPORTUNITY HANDICAP HURDLE (81-116) 2M 159YDS

Mississippi River can make up for an unlucky outing earlier this week when he finished sixth to Plain Talking. He was involved in some scrimmaging before the straight and the drop back in trip isn’t a concern as he won over 2m at Cork in March. He finished second to Rebel Fitz in a bumper here in October 2010 on his only previous outing at this track.

Camlann didn’t jump that well nor did he settle when he was third to Shake The Bucket here on Monday. He has since run well to finish third to Tara Dylan in a 1m 4f flat handicap on Thursday. He can make his presence felt. Last year’s winner Dollar And A Dream is 18lbs higher this time but still commands the utmost respect.

Selection: MISSISSIPPI RIVER

Next best: Camlann

2.45 GALWAY SHOPPING CENTRE HANDICAP HURDLE (81-123) 3M 51YDS

Following his unlucky outing on Wednesday, Sea Light can gain compensation. He finished out his race to tremendous effect but went down by ½l to Plain Talking. His finishing effort there would suggest this longer trip will suit. Rendezvous Peak was fifth in that same race and with a clearer run he would have been placed. He should be thereabouts. Bye Bye O Bye won three handicaps in April and May and cannot be underestimated having warmed up for this with a couple of runs on the flat.

Colbert Station is another to keep in mind as he ran better than his seventh to Heist last time would indicate.

Selection: SEA LIGHT

Next best: Rendezvous Peak

3.20 IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF AHONOORA HANDICAP 7F

Kelinni hasn’t been at his best lately but he still lines up here with strong claims. He has an excellent draw in stall one which will suit the habitual front-runner and he is only 2lbs higher than when winning a premier handicap over this trip at Leopardstown last September.

This race represents something of a drop in class relative to several of the stakes races that he has recently contested. He is preferred to Stipulate, who has fared much better than his three stablemates with the draw. Stipulate’s fourth to Creggs Pipes here on Tuesday is a good effort.

Top Notch Tonto, the dual winner of this race Baraweez, and Dream Walker all have the capacity to mount a major challenge but draws of 15, 14 and 12 haven’t done them any favours.

Selection: KELINNI

Next best: Stipulate

3.55 AT THE RACES CHASE 2M 6F 111YDS

Of the four contestants from the Galway Plate, Alelchi Inois is the obvious choice. Formerly a dual course winner, this Willie Mullins inmate posted a tremendous effort on Wednesday when he was beaten just over a length by Lord Scoundrel.

That display earns him the vote ahead of Clarcam who also ran very well in the Plate to be beaten just over 4l into fifth.

By contrast, former Gold Cup third Road To Riches lines up with questions to answer having pulled-up in the Plate, where his jumping let him down. He needs to improve dramatically on his effort earlier in the week.

Selection: ALELCHI INOIS

Next best: Clarcam

4.30 LORD HEMPHILL MEMORIAL HANDICAP CHASE 2M 2F 54YDS

Devil’s Bride is another Galway Plate contestant who can make his mark again. He ran a fine race to finish fourth to Lord Scoundrel on Wednesday and the drop back in trip will be no problem for him as he has winning course and distance form. He has almost 2l to find with Mr Fiftyone from their meeting at Punchestown, but looks capable of doing so. Mr Fiftyone is 11lbs higher than when finishing third here last year. This race was won by Bally Longford in 2015 and he could mount another strong challenge this time as his recent comeback fourth to Xsquared will have left him in good shape for this.

Selection: DEVILS BRIDE

Next best: Bally Longford

5.00 JPK FENCING HANDICAP (50-75) 1M 5F 186YDS

Two runners who are totally unproven at the trip are among those that make most appeal and the visored Tarazani can make a successful first venture into handicaps. Last year he was just touched off in a 6f maiden at Dundalk and his stamina can only be taken on trust, but he began his season with an encouraging third to dual Derby hero Harzand over 1m 2f at Cork. On that occasion Tarazani split the subsequent Queen’s Vase and Curragh Cup victor Sword Fighter and the hugely progressive handicapper Qatari Hunter. That form is impressive.

Tudor City won over 1m at this meeting last year and has run just once on the flat since then. He has since been sent hurdling and hasn’t run since January, but definitely has further scope for progression.

Selection: TARZANI

Next best: Tudor City

5.30 KENNY GALWAY EBF FILLIES MAIDEN 1M 3F 180YDS

Mounira could be up to making a winning debut. This Raven’s Pass filly was due to have her first run at Leopardstown in May and, at the time, she held some good entries, which was an interesting pointer to her capabilities. She is engaged in a Group 3 at the Curragh in three weeks time so is evidently still held in good regard. She also makes plenty of appeal on pedigree as her siblings include several high class middle-distance runners. Nonetheless stepped forward nicely from her first run to finish a creditable third to Twilight Payment and Ex Patriot at the Curragh on Oaks weekend.

Selection: MOUNIRA

Next best: Nonetheless

6.00 FR BREEN MEMORIAL (PRO-AM) FLAT RACE 2M

First Figaro, who won a bumper at this meeting last year, might be the answer. He was well-beaten in a good winners’ contest at Punchestown in April but, before that, he showed up well to finish ninth in the Cheltenham bumper when beaten by less than 6l. A repeat of that run, or his second to Lucky Pass at Leopardstown in December, would be more than good enough.

An Caisteal Nuadh made a winning debut in a Limerick bumper ten days ago. This represents a notable rise in class for him, but he looks capable of acquitting himself well. The Killarney bumper winners Licklighter and Mountain Rock are also respected.

Selection: FIRST FIGARO

Next best: An Caisteal Nuadh