2.00 MATCHBOOK

BETTING EXCHANGE

NOVICE CHASE (GRADE 1)

2M 3F 160YDS

Beyond The Law: Showed a good level of form when winning twice on testing ground this time last year but he subsequently struggled in better company and he will have to step forward markedly.

Game Of War: Showed some useful form as a hurdler and got his career over fences off to a good start when winning at Thurles last month, defeating Sir Carno by 1¼l. He will surely do better still as a chaser but this assignment demands far more.

Getabird: He was unable to win at Grade 1 level last season but even so he ended the campaign as one of the best novice hurdlers in the country and his future over fences looks bright on the evidence of his impressive chasing debut at Punchestown. Neither the longer trip nor the slower ground of today’s race will present him with any difficulties and he will take all the beating.

Hardline: Progressed into a quality sort as a novice hurdler and should be just as good as a chaser on the evidence of a smooth 10l Grade 3 victory at Navan this month. This trip is an unknown and as a novice hurdler he came up short in a couple of meetings with Getabird which would suggest he has work to do.

Jetz: Posted a number of good efforts in smart company as a novice hurdler and the early signs from his chasing career are encouraging. He accounted for the useful Duca De Thaix in a Navan beginners’ chase last month and then ran a solid 8½l third in the Grade 1 Drinmore Novice Chase at Fairyhouse. He isn’t one to underestimate.

Riders Onthe Storm: Held a rating of 132 when he last ran over hurdles and got his chasing career off to a respectable start with a fourth to Mengli Khan at Punchestown. He will surely win his share of races but he has been set a demanding task for his second chase start.

Majurca: Relatively lightly raced but promising sort in France where he won two of his five starts and was placed on the other three occasions. He did win on his second chase start at Auteuil in June and then ran with credit in a Grade 3 at that track several weeks later on his final start in his homeland. Pitched in at this level for his Irish debut but he does have a four-year-old allowance to aid his cause.

THE VERDICT

Getabird, whose presence on the card has brought Ruby Walsh to this meeting for the first time in decades, looked a potentially top drawer novice chaser on his debut over the larger obstacles at Punchestown lately and he has been found a good opportunity to record a first victory at Grade 1 level. Jetz and Hardline appeal as the two that will give Getabird most to do.

REST OF THE CARD

12.20 GREENMOUNT EQUINE HOSPITAL 3-Y-O MAIDEN HURDLE 2M

Mixmoon is no more than a hopeful choice in an intriguing opening. This French import showed promise to be placed on her only run on the flat last February and she commands huge respect having joined the champion trainer.

Despite her lack of jumping experience, she is chosen ahead of the useful flat handicapper Band Of Outlaws who showed up very well on his jumping debut to be beaten 1l into third by Mixmoon’s stablemate, Maze Runner, at Cork recently.

Fine Brunello, a winner on the flat and placed on his only jumps outing in France, is another interesting runner while the former listed runner-up Tiger Voice is surely much better than he showed on his jumping debut at Gowran last month.

SELECTION: MIXMOON

Next best: Band Of Outlaws

12.50 SIGNSPLUS HURDLE 2M 4F

Not Many Left could make a winning return to action. This useful gelding was a 10l winner of a maiden hurdle on heavy ground last January and he went on to post a couple of respectable efforts in decent company, notably when finishing an 8l second to Pravalaguna at the Punchestown Festival.

He is preferred to Salsaretta who took advantage of a dramatic drop in class to run out an easy winner of a Sligo maiden hurdle in May. There is a strong chance that she is better than she has shown yet.

Felix Desjy has been disappointing since winning his maiden hurdle but has the ability.

SELECTION: NOT MANY LEFT

Next best: Salsaretta

1.25 GUINNESS MAIDEN HURDLE 2M 3F

Polished Steel appeals and a rating of 116 would entitle him to take beating in a race confined to horses who have yet to finish in the first three. This gelding comes here off fourth place finishes in useful maidens won by Daly Tiger and Battleoverdoyen and, as a son of Jeremy, he should relish the easing ground.

Dont Go Mad’s chances may not appear all that obvious but his fifth to Rhinestone in a Naas maiden hurdle last month represents a telling effort in the context of this race and this 105-rated gelding’s cause is further aided by his rider’s 7lb claim.

SELECTION: POLISHED STEEL

Next best: Dont Go Mad

2.35 O’KELLY BROTHERS DEMOLITION MARES HANDICAP HURDLE 2m

At this meeting last year’s Lady In Lavender won a juvenile hurdle so the demands of this track on testing ground clearly suit her well.

She did go on to show up well in handicap company after her victory last year and her last two runs would suggest that she could be about to recapture her best form.

Rovetta was reported to be unsuited by the going when she finished last of five in a listed hurdle at Thurles on Saturday.

This going here will be much more to her liking and she could fare much better in this lesser grade. Misty Millie might be able to step forward on her last efforts.

SELECTION: LADY IN LAVENDER

Next best: Rovetta

3.10 MR BINMAN HANDICAP CHASE (0-109) 2M 3F 160YDS

Instant Smile showed up well to finish third in this race last year and can go a couple of places better this time. The rating band for this year’s race is slightly slower which will help his cause and his only previous win came here back in March 2016.

He showed up well on his return from seven months off when finishing sixth to Brosna George at Fairyhouse nine days ago.

Seskin Flyer built on some creditable efforts in defeat to win a 2m 2f handicap chase at Thurles on Saturday and he warrants respect.

SELECTION: INSTANT SMILE

Next best: Seskin Flyer

3.45 LYONS OF LIMERICK JAGUAR & LAND ROVER MARES FLAT RACE 2M

Larquebuse is looking to maintain Gordon Elliott and Cheveley Park Stud’s impressive strike rate together.

This daughter of Saddler Marker, who shares her sire with Apple’s Jade, looked a nice prospect when she made a winning debut in a point at Durrow in March and Jamie Codd journeys to Limerick.

She faces an intriguing rival in the newcomer Hurricane Junior who is an own-sister to one of the star bumper horses of last season in Tornado Flyer.

SELECTION: LARQUEBUSE

Next best: Hurricane Junior