Ryan McElligott

2.05 GLENVALE STUD EBF MAIDEN 7F 100YDS

Johannes Vermeer can make a successful start to his career. The Galileo colt, who holds entries in the Gimcrack and Irish National Stakes, is out of a mare who got off the mark on her second start as a juvenile. He can overcome his lack of experience to deal with the threat posed by From Eden. The latter has run quite respectably on both his starts, the latest of which saw him finish a 6¾l fourth to Sanus Per Aquam in a 7f maiden at the Curragh a fortnight ago. It wouldn’t surprise to see Mrs King step forward from her debut seventh behind Miss Katie Mae in a Curragh maiden in May.

Selection: JOHANNES VERMEER

Next Best: From Eden

2.40 FOLLOW US ON TWITTER HANDICAP 7F 100YDS

He won this race last year and despite being 9lbs higher this time Oor Jock has a strong chance of recording a repeat success. The vastly experienced seven-year-old has run a host of solid races in defeat this term and has been placed in seven of his last nine runs. He was second to Tylery Wonder over 5f at this track last week and this longer trip will aid his cause. The reliable Snap Click is a danger as he looks to build on a win over 1m at Gowran last month which earned him a 7lbs rise in the ratings. Annie Irish is respected following her victory at Limerick last month for which she is only 3lbs higher.

Selection: OOR JOCK

Next Best: Snap Click

3.15 AT THE RACES PRIZE RUSH ON FACEBOOK MAIDEN 5F

Udogo is a speculative choice on his first start for Aidan O’Brien. He didn’t show a great deal in two runs last season but those efforts came on slower ground over longer trips than the one he races over today. Furthermore his best effort to date did come over this trip on his debut as a juvenile when he was fourth in a Dundalk maiden. It wouldn’t come as a surprise if he were to take a step forward. Shanghai Beauty hasn’t been at her best this season. However, this 83-rated filly showed herself to be a capable sort last term when her form included a close fourth in a stakes race over this course and distance on good ground. She does look the one to beat.

Selection: UDOGO

Next Best: Shanghai Beauty

3.50 EXCELEBRATION TIPPERARY STAKES (LISTED) 5F

This could see the promising Independence Day emulate his brother Requinto who won this race in 2011. The Dansili colt improved on a solid debut fourth at the Curragh when bolting up in a 5f maiden at Down Royal last month. The form of that race was boosted when the 5l second Reckless Endeavour won at Naas on Wednesday. Independence Day looks more than capable of holding his own at this level. Promised Money finished third to Great Page in a 6f listed race at Naas last month. Her effort there suggested that she would be well served by coming to 5f. Shrill also warrants respect as she looks to build on her debut success at Cork a month ago.

Selection: INDEPENDENCE DAY

Next Best: Promised Money

4.25 KEVIN MCMANUS BOOKMAKER GRIMES HURDLE (GRADE 3) 2M

Diakali may overcome a year long absence. This former dual Grade 1-winning juvenile hurdler’s 398-day absence is a concern but he is a high class sort as he showed when only just losing out to The New One and Rock On Ruby in a three-way photo-finish for the 2014 Aintree Hurdle. When he was last seen in action he posted two creditable efforts in France. The versatile Rawnaq might give him most to do. He was beaten just a neck off a mark of 140 in 2m 1f Bellewstown handicap hurdle. The admirable Thousand Stars is another quality sort and comes into this off a tremendous second in last month’s French Champion Hurdle. However the 11-year-old could just be vulnerable over this much shorter trip.

Selection: DIAKALI

Next Best: Rawnaq

5.00 COSTELLO’S TAVERN HANDICAP HURDLE (80-102) 3M

He didn’t produce his best at Roscommon last time when finishing eighth to Phangio but Na Trachtalai Abu is worth another chance. Previously he showed that he was well suited by the demands of this trip when he defeated Oscar Chimes by 1¼l at Punchestown in May. He is just 4lbs higher than when recording that success. Dante Anna was beaten almost 14l into eighth in a Gowran handicap won by From Frost last month. This is a far weaker race and that wasn’t a bad run in the context of this race. Previously she won over fences at Tramore and prior to that she was just touched off in handicap hurdle at Clonmel.

Selection: NA TRACHTALAI ABU

Next Best: Dante Anna

5.35 FOLLOW TIPPERARY RACES ON FACEBOOK MAIDEN HURDLE 2M 4F

Kilclispeen didn’t show much in two runs over hurdles during the winter but a switch to better ground last month showed him in a better light when he won a Punchestown bumper on his first outing since January. The experience that he picked up over timber during the winter will stand to him and this trip looks as though it will suit well while he also showed a fine attitude at Punchestown. Exxaro has plenty of hurdling experience and comes here off a couple of runner-up finishes, the latest of which saw him go down by ½l to Supreme Benefit at Clonmel. He may represent a bigger threat than Akito who showed some promise in bumpers.

Selection: KILCLISPEEN

Next Best: Exxaro