1.05 SR Ventilation Supporting Kill GAA Rated Hurdle

1m 7f 158yd

This race is traditionally one of the strongest sources for spotting Fred Winter winners, and there are certainly some lively candidates in the mix this time around. Winning this contest mightn’t necessarily be a help to your chances of clicking at Cheltenham, though, given the extra weight that would be accrued in the process. Running well without winning might be the optimum candidates for punters to note with an eye to the Festival.

As far as the likeliest winner goes, however, it might be an opportunity for Highland Crystal to extend her unbeaten record over hurdles. She was set to be a short-priced favourite for a blacktype event at Doncaster last month when unseating on the way to post and withdrawn. It’s not ideal for a filly to have to give a field of geldings weight, but she does have a fair bit of class, as shown when winning a weak-looking listed hurdle at Newbury 10 weeks ago by six and a half lengths.

Kilmeaden looks a strong-staying juvenile and got off the mark at the second attempt over hurdles at Punchestown last month. He should be coming home strongly. Genealogy and Saratoga, both ex-Ballydoyle performers, caught the eye when placed last time out and are on the Fred Winter shortlist of many. Munsif couldn’t trouble some highly-regarded types last time but his introduction to hurdling at Leopardstown over Christmas was pleasing when third in a 19-runner maiden hurdle.

SELECTION: HIGHLAND CRYSTAL

Next best: Kilmeaden

1.40 Connolly’s Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Novice Hurdle

2m 2f 101yd

After proving himself on testing ground when winning a maiden hurdle in this auction series at Limerick over Christmas, Raise You Up looks in a favourable position to follow up for Ross O’Sullivan. Even though he’s not the best treated of these at the weights, he is unexposed and looks bound to stay well in these conditions. He can improve again.

Grey Jude, a winner at Cork when last seen in late November, is officially rated 6lb higher than the selection but only has to concede 2lb, so that makes some appeal. Ground as testing as this will be a new challenge for him, but he does look reliable as a type. This looks a drop in class for Mullaghgloss, who is entitled to be on the premises, while Dunleer Crystal is seeking a first win but did run with credit when runner-up at Down Royal on December 26th. He gets a reasonable pull at the weights too.

SELECTION: RAISE YOU UP

Next best: Grey Jude

2.15 Cavan Developments

Supporting Kill GAA Maiden Hurdle 2m 2f 101yd

The 2024 Champion Bumper third Jalon d’Oudairies has come up short against two smart types in maiden hurdles since returning from a long absence this season, and he should have the ability to open his account over flights in a race of this quality. After giving way late on at Leopardstown over an extended two and a half miles when last seen at Christmas, this trip looks a good fit for him.

Poetisa, carrying the same Gigginstown colours as the selection, was a shade disappointing when turned over as 4/7 favourite at Punchestown last month, having won a Cheltenham bumper for her previous connections back in April (bought for £300,000 afterwards). Still, she should be capable of getting in the mix here if building on that reappearance run.

SELECTION: JALON D’OUDAIRIES

Next best: Poetisa

2.50 Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle 1m 7f 158yd

Testing ground is exactly what brings out the best in Moudan, and he might be able to win off 8lb lower than his chasing mark now switching back to hurdles. Eoghan Finegan is a capable rider in this race restricted to jockeys who haven’t lost their 7lb claim, and the Ciaran Murphy-trained seven-year-old showed his wellbeing when winning a chase at Limerick over Christmas. That form has got a nice boost since, with close-up third Anotherway bolting up at Down Royal last month.

Boher Road made a satisfactory comeback from a long absence when mid-field at Punchestown in a better race on New Year’s Eve and is a danger if sharpening up from that. Cloonainra’s best form definitely gives her a squeak, although whether she’ll love deep ground is a question mark. Half A Chance has been running well of late, while Hesgonethatway is thoroughly unexposed and hinted at winning potential last time on handicap debut for Philip Rothwell. Ernie From Nerney is capable of showing his best around this course and distance too.

SELECTION: MOUDAN

Next best: Hesgonethatway

3.25 Cheltenham Trials Day At Naas Racecourse Bumper

1m 7f 158yd

Apache Peak has started his career with two smart efforts, finishing second to subsequent Grade 2 Triumph Hurdle Trial third Minella Yoga in an academy hurdle before chasing home the well-regarded Quiryn in a bumper here four weeks ago. If he can take a step forward from that again, he’ll set a decent standard for the rest to surpass, and his experience should stand to him.

Gordon Elliott’s two newcomers look the biggest dangers on paper. Todo Bien, by Walk In The Park, is a half-brother to Joseph O’Brien’s useful dual-purpose mare Shoda and the multiple Grade 2-placed Milan Tino. He was bought for €175,000 as a store from an excellent farm. Stablemate One To Witness went unsold at €28,000 as a store, though the Sholokov gelding does have a chance on paper as a half-brother to Kilbeggan Midlands National winner Idas Boy.

SELECTION: APACHE PEAK

Next best: Todo Bien

4.00 BBA Ireland Limited Opera Hat Mares Chase (Listed) 2m

It’s virtually impossible to make a strong case against Dinoblue here. She’s rated miles clear of her rivals in the race she won 12 months ago, admittedly hard pressed on that occasion by Allegorie De Vassy. There isn’t a rival of that calibre in here this time, and the biggest danger to last season’s Mrs Paddy Power Mares’ Chase winner is the trip; she likely won’t be at her best over two miles at this stage of her career.

Bioluminescence will love the ground and has run well around here before, but the distance is also a big query for her, given her form over further. She’s not been at her best on her last three outings either. The same owner’s Uhavemeinstitches is rated 12lb inferior to Bioluminescence, though does receive 12lb from her and is two years younger. She might end up having a little bit more to offer from a progression point of view.

SELECTION: DINOBLUE

Next best: Uhavemeinstitches

4.35 QuinnBet Hunters Chase 3m

It was a highly impressive display in a smart contest from Panda Boy at Thurles 20 days ago. Provided this isn’t coming too soon, and that the ground isn’t too testing for him (a slight concern that his best form has often been on better surfaces), he’ll make them all work to win this. That first win since May 2022 ought to have given him confidence, and he looks a smart recruit to this division.

Hunters Yarn has been in fine form between the flags, winning on his last two outings, and he looks the biggest danger. He wasn’t an out-and-out stayer under rules before his switch to point-to-pointing, so how he fares if this turns into a slog on testing ground will be a new learning. Last year’s winner Ryehill mightn’t have the class of the aforementioned pair but is proven in these circumstances, which should count for plenty, while similar can possibly be said for Limerick winner Last Round, who finished 16 and a half lengths behind Panda Boy when third at Thurles last time (4lb better off now).

SELECTION: PANDA BOY

Next best: Hunters Yarn