Kevin Blake

12:20 MARTINSTOWN OPPORTUNITY HANDICAP CHASE (0-116) 2M 2F

A tricky puzzle to kick off proceedings and a chance is taken on the Denis Prendergast-trained Easyondeye. The eight-year-old has won two point-to-points and is quite unexposed on the racecourse, winning a hunter chase at Downpatrick in March. This is his handicap chase debut and he appeals as being fairly treated for it, so with conditions to suit he is selected to prevail. A solid alternative to the selection is the Christy Roche-trained Golden Ticket.

Selection: EASYONDEYE

Next Best: Golden Ticket

12:50 MOLONY CUP HANDICAP CHASE (0-102) 3M

The Robert Tyner-trained Its the Ice I Like finally made the breakthrough over fences on his last start, making it ninth-time lucky when winning a handicap at Navan in good style with a tongue tie and blinkers applied for the first time. A rise of 8lb for that still leaves him 25lb lower than his mark over hurdles and he has strong prospects of following up in this. However, as solid as the likely favourite looks, it may be worth taking a wild chance on the John Joe Walsh-trained Glen Ode. The seven-year-old was running an improved race on his handicap chase debut at Wexford last time until to have his progress halted by a bad mistake at the fourth-last fence. Granted a clearer round, he could well improve enough to go close at a big price.

Selection: GLEN ODE

Next Best: Its The Ice I Like

1:20 HORSE & JOCKEY HOTEL HANDICAP HURDLE 2M

Another competitive handicap and the David O’Brien-trained Is Herself About makes the most appeal. While she would probably have been beaten by Snapchat had that one not fallen at the final flight at Cork last time, she remains 10lb lower over hurdles than over fences and should make a bold bid around a track that often favours front runners. The main danger to him may well be the Tim Doyle-trained Moreece following his fine second at Navan last time.

Selection: IS HERSELF ABOUT

Next Best: Moreece

1:50 GIFT HORSE GALLERY HORSE & JOCKEY HOTEL MARES MAIDEN HURDLE 2M

There is unlikely to be too much debate about what is the most exciting prospect running on the card at Thurles and that is the Willie Mullins-trained Lyrical Theatre. The daughter of King’s Theatre has won three of her four starts in bumpers, including a very impressive success in a listed contest at Navan last time. She rates as an exciting recruit to hurdling and will take all the beating. One that is sure to run her race is the Tom Foley-trained Dantes Firth, with her being officially rated 111.

Selection: LYRICAL THEATRE

Next Best: Dantes Firth

2:20 EXIT 6 TO THE HORSE & JOCKEY RATED NOVICE HURDLE 2M 6F 110YDS

An intriguing contest and marginal preference is given to the Liz Doyle-trained Kauto Grand Mogol. The half-brother to Kauto Star won a bumper and a maiden hurdle at Limerick prior to finishing a solid fourth to Free Expression in a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Navan last time. That form has already got a couple of boosts and it sets the standard in this weaker contest. The main danger to him is perhaps the Willie Mullins-trained Bosman Rule, for all that his limitations have been somewhat exposed in his last two starts.

Selection: KAUTO GRAND MOGOL

Next Best: Bosman Rule

2:50 I.N.H. STALLION OWNERS EBF MAIDEN HURDLE 2M 6F 110YDS

Not the strongest of maiden hurdles and a fair opportunity for the Noel Meade-trained Flinders River to make it third-time lucky over hurdles. The six-year-old ran a stormer to finish third in a maiden hurdle at Down Royal last time, with him being likely to have gone even closer but for a bad mistake at the second-last flight. That form puts him right in the mix for this contest. A solid alternative to him is the Sandra Hughes-trained Wrath Of Titans, for all that he is becoming a shade frustrating over hurdles.

Selection: FLINDERS RIVER

Next Best: Wrath Of Titans

3:20 CURAHEEN (PRO/AM) FLAT RACE 2M

The Willie Mullins representative is the obvious starting point in any bumper and his Pylonthepressure immediately catches the eye. He made a winning debut in a point-to-point at Laurencetown in May, beating the subsequent bumper winner Cracked Rear View by an impressive five lengths, and changed hands for £110,000 later that month at Brightwells. He is likely to prove very difficult to beat on his racecourse debut. The most interesting of his rivals looks to be the Jessica Harrington-trained debutante Chitter Chatter.

Selection: PYLONTHEPRESSURE

Next Best: Chitter Chatter