12.00 Mongey Communications Novice Handicap Chase 2m 4f

The form of Moylussa’s recent second at Cork was given a lovely boost when the winner followed up in fine style at Down Royal last week, and he remains very much unexposed over fences. This will be just his third appearance in this sphere (previously third to a subsequent winner at Roscommon in a handicap chase) and he’s got race fitness on his side.

Giant Haystacks won for the second time in four starts last month at Punchestown. He’ll be a strong stayer at the trip and should be in the thick of things despite a 6lb rise (and being without the 7lb claim he had to help last time). Shellrunforbriggs has a tough task off top weight, but is in excellent form after her latest second at Galway over hurdles. She looks a better chaser too. Luimneach has been creeping up the weights, but should still remain competitive without looking thrown in, while Takenasred is one to watch on handicap chase debut, though he’s likely to improve for this initial experience here.

SELECTION: MOYLUSSA

Next best: Giant Haystacks

12.30 Cavan Developments

Supporting St Marys GAA Maiden Hurdle 2m

It’s impossible to ignore The Mourne Rambler on his hurdling debut. The Champion Bumper star was second in a point-to-point on debut and has been found a maiden hurdle without any Willie Mullins representative, while also not having to carry any penalties for his bumper wins.

Gordon Elliott’s Low Kick was impressive here in February before failing to catch fire in the Punchestown Grade 1 in which the selection finished second. He’s bound to make his mark over hurdles. Caman Hill showed ability in winning two bumpers and is no slouch, while Fortunate Miss and Whisky Lads look capable of winning maiden hurdles that are not quite as competitive as this one in due course.

SELECTION: THE MOURNE RAMBLER

Next best: Low Kick

1.00 Overlander Fishery Lane Novice Hurdle 2m

This is clearly a sizeable step up in class for Love Me Tender from when winning a Listowel maiden hurdle at the Harvest Festival. However, such was the impression he created when bolting up by 20 lengths on that occasion, he demands automatic respect as a classy flat horse open to any amount of improvement for the champion trainer.

Darby O’Gill is a fascinating recruit to hurdles, who could be extremely well handicapped off a mark of 121. He’s got a big pedigree, being by Walk In The Park and out of Cheltenham Festival winner Shattered Love, and gelding him since last seen in France is bound to have been a positive for the €260,000 purchase.

On official ratings, he has to improve plenty to match what the 140-rated Bartholomew achieved at Punchestown when second to Saratoga in a Grade 1. Golden Handshake couldn’t be in better form, seeking a hat-trick. Bunker Buster is a smart four-year-old in his own right.

SELECTION: LOVE ME TENDER

Next best: Darby O’Gill

1.30 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle 2m 3f

It will be well worth watching whether there is market confidence behind Adaboy Mushy on his first start since winning at the Punchestown Festival, as he clearly showed a lot of talent in his two bumper wins last season and is still only four. Declan Queally was able to have top novice hurdler I’ll Sort That ready to win at the first time of asking last term (well supported then too) and, if he can have this Blue Bresil gelding in the same sort of shape today, he’ll be to the fore.

Minella Machine is a high-class rival. A runaway point-to-point winner for John Nallen, he finished fourth to The Mourne Rambler in a Leopardstown Christmas Festival bumper before opening his rules account at Wexford on St Patrick’s Day in a race that has produced subsequent winners. This €350,000 purchase will be well able to win one of these before long, if not this time.

Coq Noir (cost €200,000 after winning point-to-point) was well behind Minella Machine on his bumper bow. He’ll likely improve for switching back to an obstacle. Got The Honours won a point-to-point for Pat Doyle and makes his first start for Gavin Cromwell in a tongue-tie, having changed hands privately.

SELECTION: ADABOY MUSHY

Next best: Minella Machine

2.04 Tote Guarantee, Never Beaten By SP Brown Lad Handicap Hurdle (Listed) 2m 4f

Daboya remains very lightly raced over hurdles, today being her first start in a handicap in this sphere, and she can make the most of her fitness from a summer campaign for the Dick Donohoe team. This ex-Aga Khan mare has been a terrific buy for connections and she shaped as though stepping up in trip would be a help when second over two miles at Gowran on good ground last time; this will be her first try beyond two miles and a furlong. She’s in good heart, Danny Mullins knows her well and she could improve for trying this style of race.

With the Paul Nolan team in red-hot form after a treble at Wexford on Wednesday and another win at Fairyhouse the day before, Park Of Kings might be the next in line to click.

He’s been a frustrating enough sort to follow in these handicaps, but has the ability to play a leading role off a mark of 122 (he finished second in this race off just 1lb lower in 2024). He’s had a recent run to get his eye in back over hurdles (sent chasing last season) and will be sharper for that appearance. He does need to rediscover his old spark, but it would be dangerous to discount him with the yard going so well.

Expect a big showing from Balko d’Ange after a recent Galway second over fences (his first run since April). Avondale lacks a recent run but could be better than his mark, while last year’s runner-up off 9lb lower, The Nagger Reidy, is worth a market check on his seasonal return. Harpy Eagle and Fraher Field are others lurking dangerously down the bottom of the handicap.

SELECTION: DABOYA

Next best: Park Of Kings

2.39 Barberstown Castle Chase (Grade 3) 2m

Getting confidence over fences will be no harm for Kopek Des Bordes, given he had an interrupted campaign last season and ended it with a tumble at Punchestown, when looking set to conquer in Grade 1 company. He sets the standard on ratings and is well suited by the race conditions.

Irish Panther was boldly campaigned in 2025/’26 and emerged from the season with his reputation majorly enhanced.

He’s won around here before and was probably over the top when beaten at the Punchestown Festival when last seen.

Bowensonfire has a tough task at the weights but wouldn’t mind drying ground and arrives here with momentum after a win at Cheltenham last month.

SELECTION: KOPEK DES BORDES

Next best: Irish Panther

3.13 Into Kildare Beginners Chase 2m

High-class two-mile hurdler Anzadam looks an exciting recruit to fences for Willie Mullins. Runner-up in the Grade 1 Fighting Fifth around this time last year, he had a slightly in-and-out campaign thereafter but the engine is there.

On official ratings, a mark of 152 leaves the selection 9lb clear of the standard achieved by Eachtotheirown when winning a Grade 1 novice hurdle at the Punchestown Festival when last seen. However, Barry Connell’s charge remains open to any amount of improvement and looks built for chasing.

Anzadam had the potential to throw in the odd wayward leap over hurdles, and Eachtotheirown is actually a year older than him, even though he’s very lightly raced. Reports of his schooling have been positive. Arcadian Emperor was second on his chasing bow at Gowran, but looks nailed on to win one of these before long, while Koktail Brut was a talented novice hurdler last season with the potential to win his share of races over fences.

SELECTION: EACHTOTHEIROWN

Next best: Anzadam

3.48 Bet With Tote On Racing & Sports Irish EBF Mares (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race 2m

There mightn’t have been a whole lot of depth to the mares’ point-to-point that Ballydonagh Girl won on debut (runner-up now rated 81 in Britain), but she won with real style and changed hands for £155,000 subsequently. The Shirocco mare gets a tentative nod on her debut for Gordon Elliott. Dermot McLoughlin has been having an excellent summer and his Harzand newcomer Amal Angel is of some interest, as is stablemate Finnellatimes, who needs to improve from her debut sixth at Punchestown, but could well do so. Better Be Elusive ran well enough when fifth at Wexford in a bumper a fortnight ago, while debutantes Bride Of Arainn, Cassie Baby and Jetson Jane are all worthy of a second look in the market.

SELECTION: BALLYDONAGH GIRL

Next best: Finnellatimes