REST OF THE CARD

1.45 CORAL DUBLIN CHASE (GRADE 2) 2M 1F

Yorkhill is selected in the belied that the drop back to 2m will show him off to best effect. A Grade 1 winner at this trip as a novice hurdler, he found 3m too far behind Road To Respect here in December. The dual Cheltenham winner remains one of the most exciting chasers around and if he takes to this new test he will take beating.

Stablemate Min looks the biggest danger. He was disqualified after landing a Grade 1 over this course and distance in December when he impeded Simply Ned in the closing stages. Even though he passed the post in front that day there is a strong suspicion that the race didn’t show him off to best effect and a return to his peak will ensure that he provides Yorkhill with a formidable test.

Simply Ned could struggle to contain the Mullins pair, while Special Tiara is the reigning champion chaser but does often reserve his best for his trips to Britain.

Selection: YORKHILL

Next best: Min

2.55 CORAL SANDYFORD HANDICAP CHASE (0-150) (GRADE B) 2M 1F

An open affair could see Nearly Nama’d bag another lucrative success over a trip that suits him very well. A couple of seasons ago this gelding landed a pair of quality handicap chases at Fairyhouse and he came back to form to run out a comfortable winner of a decent contest at that track two months ago. He has climbed 10lbs in the weights for that victory but is only 5lbs higher than when securing a Grade A handicap two seasons ago.

Nearly Nama’d is preferred to Bel Ami De Sivola who was beaten just over 6l into fourth in that Fairyhouse race before losing out by a head to Tisamystery over this course and distance at Christmas.

Some Plan was third in that Fairyhouse race and he too warrants consideration and a return to form by Hurricane Ben could see him get closely involved. He looked a quality handicap chaser for the coming seasons when bolting up in a decent novice handicap at Fairyhouse last Easter.

Selection: NEARLY NAMA’D

Next best: Bel Ami De Sivola

4.05 CORAL HURDLE (0-150) (GRADE B) 2M

Mind’s Eye is a relatively inexperienced sort but he is a promising novice who is still open to progress and his last victory marked him out as a likely candidate for this prize. He followed a second to Samcro in a maiden hurdle with a victory in a 2m maiden at Fairyhouse and last time out he landed a 2m 4f novice handicap hurdle at this track. He is now 8lbs higher in the weights and is dropping back in distance but the ease with which he travelled through the race last time gives cause for encouragement that he will cope with this trip.

Midnight Stroll, who was going in search of a hat-trick, also travelled very well in that 2m 4f novice last time before being beaten just under 4l. He is another with definite room for improvement and a bold showing is expected from him. The impressive Limerick winner Off You Go is another leading contender along with Ben Dundee.

Selection: MIND’S EYE

Next best: Midnight Stroll

4.40 GOFFS FUTURE STARS (C&G) INH FLAT RACE (GRADE 2) 2M

A high-class line up features a number of the most promising bumper horses in the country and Rapid Escape is marginally preferred to several others to make it four wins in succession. The Doyen gelding has notched up wins at Down Royal, Punchestown and Navan this terms and on each occasion he has left the impression that he could do better still.

He will certainly need to progress for this assignment and Blackbow is a formidable rival. That entry began his racecourse career with a tenacious and ultimately clear cut success over The Holy One (who was previously beaten 4l by Rapid Escape) at this track in December and it is noteworthy that Patrick Mullins has chosen him ahead of the dual winner Minella Encore.

Brace Yourself, Dunvegan and Rhinestone are all last-time-out winners and are horses of considerable potential.

Selection: RAPID ESCAPE

Next best: Blackbow