2:05 BEST PRICE GUARANTEED ON ALL IRISH RACING AT CORAL.IE MARES MAIDEN HURDLE 2M
A typically modest mares’ maiden hurdle for this relatively late stage of the season and the Willie Mullins-trained Miss Me Now jumps off the page.
The six-year-old has established herself as a useful sort in bumpers, winning at Sligo at August prior to running well in winners’ company at Wexford and Naas. She is likely to take all the beating on her hurdling debut. Of those with hurdling experience, the Liam Burke-trained Kayf Hampshire looks to have solid prospects.
Selection: MISS ME NOW
Next best: Kayf Hampshire
2:40 MULLINS MAGIC FREE BET OFFER AT CORAL.IE (C & G) MAIDEN HURDLE 2M
This is a stronger contest than the opener and the Gordon Elliott-trained Double Scores looks to be the one to side with.
The seven-year-old won a point-to-point at Tyrella two years ago and while he only hinted at promise in two starts in bumpers, he ran very well on his hurdling debut at Clonmel last month when second to Alto Esqua. He is entitled to improve from that and is likely to take all the beating. Of the remainder, the Norman Lee-trained Festive Day hasn’t shown much in two starts on the track, but his point-to-point form suggests he is capable of better than that.
Selection: DOUBLE SCORES
Next best: Festive Day
3:15 8/1 WILLIE MULLINS TO TRAIN A CHELTENHAM WINNER AT CORAL.IE HANDICAP HURDLE (80-109) 2M
Competitive fare and preference is given to the Christy Roche-trained Dragon Khan. The seven-year-old has hit form over hurdles this season, winning a handicap at Thurles and going close in a novices’ handicap at Down Royal last time.
Conditions will suit and another bold bid should be forthcoming. Of his rivals, the Denis Hogan-trained Eiri Na Casca warrants respect on his return to hurdling following a successful spell over fences.
Selection: DRAGON KHAN
Next best: Eiri Na Casca
3:50 MONEY BACK ON CHELTENHAM FALLERS AT CORAL.IE RATED NOVICE HURDLE 2M 3F
An intriguing contest and the Val O’Brien-trained Ice Cool is given the nod. The seven-year-old is more experienced than most of his rivals having arrived to this contest via the handicap hurdle route, but that experience coupled with his proven stamina and ability to handle testing ground conditions could be enough to see him home in front. Of the less exposed runners, the most interesting one is the John Joe Walsh-trained The Mulcare Rover, with the six-year-old having had just two career starts, winning a maiden hurdle at Roscommon on the first of them.
Selection: ICE COOL
Next best: The Mulcare Rover
4:25 BET NOW ON EVERY CHELTENHAM RACE AT CORAL.IE HANDICAP HURDLE (80-95) 3M
Another competitive handicap hurdle and the Brian O’Keeffe-trained The Grey Guy is the one that makes the most appeal.
The nine-year-old produced his best effort of the season when second to Go It Alone at Thurles last time and with this longer trip to suit, he is selected to go one better in this.
The pick of his rivals looks to be the Harry Kelly-trained Railway Rule who looks fairly treated for his handicap hurdle debut based on his form in bumpers.
Selection: THE GREY GUY
Next best: Railway Rule
5:00 CHELTENHAM CRAZY PRICES AT CORAL.IE (PRO/AM) FLAT RACE 2M
The market will be the best guide to this four-year-old bumper, but of those with racecourse experience, the Sandra Hughes-trained The Granson makes the most appeal.
The son of Jeremy made an eye-catching debut in a maiden hurdle at Naas last month, finishing a never-nearer second to Babbling Stream.
He is sure to come on from that experience and is likely to go well on what is his first start in a bumper. Of the newcomers, market support for the Christy Roche-trained Brooklynn would be significant.
Selection: THE GRANSON
Next best: Brooklynn
5:35 BET & WATCH IRISH AND UK RACING LIVE AT CORAL.IE (PRO/AM) FLAT RACE 2M 3F
An interesting winner’s bumper to close the card and the Willie Mullins-trained Augustin sets the standard.
The six-year-old made it third-time lucky when returning from almost a year off to win a bumper at Thurles last month and the style of that win was sufficient to suggest he can follow up in this.
The pick of his rivals looks to be the Noel Meade-trained Showem Silver who impressed when winning a bumper at Fairyhouse in November prior to unseating his rider on his hurdling debut in December.
Selection: AUGUSTIN
Next best: Showem Silver