Ryan McElligott

REST OF THE CARD

12.15 HORSE AND JOCKEY HOTEL MAIDEN HURDLE 2M

Debuchet lacks the advantage of a previous run this season and this is his first outing over hurdles but he could still make a winning return. He was one of the best bumper horses of last season when his efforts were headed by a last-gasp defeat at the hands of Fayonagh at Cheltenham in March. His biggest threat could come from Manamite who had to settle for second when he was a well-backed favourite for a Cork maiden hurdle won by the smart Us And Them last month. That was his first run since June 2016. Antey, a flat winner from two starts in France, also commands the utmost respect.

Selection: DEBUCHET

Next Best: Manamite

12.45 THORNTONS RECYCLING MAIDEN HURDLE 2M

A speculative vote goes to Canardier who looked a smart sort when winning a Punchestown Festival bumper on his only start last season. He met with defeat on his return but he is more than entitled to progress for that comeback third to Jetz which was his initial hurdling outing. The form of his maiden hurdle looks solid as the winner has since run with credit in a pair of Grade 2 contests while the fourth and fifth have since shown up well in defeat. Canardier is preferred to Quick Grabim whose hurdling career began with a creditable and perhaps somewhat unlucky half-length second to Mind’s Eye at Fairyhouse last month. Paloma Blue must have every chance too. He was placed at Grade 1 level in bumpers last season and he has run to a solid standard on both his outings over hurdles.

Selection: CANARDIER

Next Best: Quick Grabim

1.15 KNIGHT FRANK JUVENILE HURDLE (GRADE 2) 2M

Espoir D’allen cannot be opposed as he bids for a fourth consecutive win since coming to Ireland. He has progressed with each outing and comes here off a smooth 4½l victory over Mitchouka in a Fairyhouse Grade 3 at the start of the month. He holds a clear edge over most of his rivals and a trouble free passage can see him maintain his winning sequence. Mitchouka, whose industrious season has yielded two victories and two runner-up finishes, is a solid sort. An interesting runner is his stablemate Farclas who had four flat starts in France and won on his final outing at Clairefontaine in August.

Selection: ESPOIR D’ALLEN

Next Best: Mitchouka

1.50 CARDINAL CAPITAL HANDICAP HURDLE (80-116) 2M 2F

In a decidedly tricky contest Cardhu is a hopeful choice. He finished down the field in a handicap hurdle last month but that was his first outing since March. On his only outing last season he returned from two years off to run a respectable fifth in a 2m handicap hurdle at Navan. He looked like one that would be making his mark in handicaps when he chased home the highly progressive Bog War in a 2m handicap hurdle in 2015. He lines up in a race his trainer has won twice in the last six years and he must be a contender if he retains the ability he showed two seasons ago. Golden Jewel sprang quite a surprise when winning a 2m handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse last weekend. That run was a dramatic improvement on what he had shown previously but he won in the style of an improving sort and another strong showing is expected.

Selection: CARDHU

Next Best: Golden Jewel

2.55 BET THROUGH THE RACING POST APP HANDICAP CHASE 2M 1F

Bobbie’s Diamond might just have sufficient potential to make his mark here. He was beaten just over 21l by Nearly Nama’d at Fairyhouse last time but faced no easy task in being pitched into a Grade B contest for his first handicap outing and he can surely improve on that. He is a lightly raced sort who is still open to progress and he looks nicely treated on the form he showed to finish a 4l second to Mr Diablo in a beginners chase at Fairyhouse in March 2016. Just Get Cracking tends to run well over this course and distance and was unlucky not to finish closer than fourth in this race last year. Bel Ami De Sivola must have a solid chance on his recent fourth to Nearly Nama’d while last season’s Grade 1-placed juvenile hurdler Landofhopeandglory is an interesting runner in his first handicap chase.

Selection: BOBBIE’S DIAMOND

Next Best: Just Get Cracking

3.30 LEP INN FLAT RACE 2M

A reappearance success for Gallant John Joe wouldn’t come as any surprise. This gelding showed considerable potential on his only outing last season when he was beaten less than 4l into fourth in the Land Rover Bumper and that form reads very well with the second being Hollowgraphic, third place going to Early Doors and Rapid Escape finishing fifth. He is chosen ahead of Blackbow who makes his debut for Willie Mullins having run out a taking winner of his sole point outing in Britain last season. The runner-up from that point has yet to win but has been placed twice and is rated 122 over hurdles. Boot Camp and The Holy One are others to consider.

Selection: GALLANT JOHN JOE

Next Best: Blackbow