John O’Riordan
2.05 GLENVALE STUD EBF MAIDEN (PLUS 10 RACE) 7F
Leo Minor was well supported on his debut at Gowran Park last month and showed plenty of promise in finishing second. The Ballydoyle inmate is certain to have come on from that initial outing and looks the one to beat here. The stable often run some of their smarter juveniles at their local track and it would be a surprise should he fail to collect.
Sea Of Grace was an eyecatching third on her debut at the Curragh on Derby weekend and with the Oxx horses showing improved form in recent weeks she is entitled to make her presence felt now. In what appears a match between the pair, the filly is best placed to capitalise should the likely favourite fail to perform.
Selection: LEO MINOR
Next best: Sea Of Grace
2.35 COSTELLO’S TAVERN HANDICAP (DIV 1) (45-65) 7F
Although yet to win over this far, Cappadocia gives the impression that he is capable of staying and his running style suggests the track will suit. The horse has taken on a new lease of life since joining the Feane yard and a repeat of his latest effort, when third at Fairyhouse, would be good enough here. A tight track around a bend suits this horse and he should be finishing well.
Local runner Punches Pious made a brave attempt to make all at Gowran Park two runs back and, if attacking from the front once again, he could prove difficult to peg back.
Julie Burke is a great judge of pace and the others wouldn’t want to give her too much ground.
Selection: CAPPADOCIA
Next best: Punches Pious
3.10 COSTELLO’S TAVERN HANDICAP (DIV 2) (45-65) 7F
Fairy Flute disappointed at Gowran Park last time but on her previous start she made all when winning at Cork. Ideally drawn in stall one here, the horse can lead from pillar to post under Declan McDonagh.
While an ease in the ground was no hindrance when she was successful, the filly has always appeared better suited to the sounder surface, so the likely drying ground is unlikely to be a factor.
Lady Ranger is back on a winning mark and this race should be run to suit her hold up style. All ground seems to come alike to the McCreery mare and she can run on past beaten horses to at least make the frame.
Selection: FAIRY FLUTE
Next best: Lady Ranger
3.45 EXCELEBRATION TIPPERARY STAKES (LISTED RACE) 5F
Yulong Baobei has been highly tried since her impressive debut at Dundalk and was not disgraced at Royal Ascot on her latest start.
The Halford filly faces lesser opposition on this occasion and, receiving weight from the colts, can get back to winning ways.
Mirdif is another bidding to get his career back on track having failed to deliver in Group 2 company last time. The colt should appreciate the drop in class, and while his best form has come on softer ground, there is nothing to say he cannot go close in what is not the strongest of races for this grade.
Selection: YULONG BAOBEI
Next best: Mirdif
4.20 DOWNLOAD THE AT THE RACES APP MAIDEN 5F
Nuala Tagula could well outrun her likely odds here and strike for the Patrick Cronin yard.
The filly was a real eyecatcher when badly drawn over the minimum trip at Dundalk last November and went into many notebooks as a certain future winner. She raced very free and didn’t seem to stay 7f on her recent return so the drop back to 5f now looks perfect.
Mostawfee showed promise when finishing fast over 6f at Navan, but struggled when upped in trip on his latest outing.
Despite initially giving the impression that he wanted further, the drop back to 5f may be worth chancing and he has the aid of the excellent Donagh O’Connor in the saddle.
Selection: NUALA TAGULA
Next best: Mostawfee
4.55 KEVIN MCMANUS BOOKMAKER GRIMES HURDLE (GRADE 3) 2M
Ivan Grozny comes out marginally best at the weights here and has been selected by Ruby Walsh, thus further enhancing his prospects. Willie Mullins runner was an impressive winner at Aintree and can be excused his subsequent Ayr defeat as the race came just a week later. Receiving weight from most of this field, he will never get a better opportunity to strike in this company.
Stablemate Sempre Medici ran in the Champion Hurdle last March and was quietly fancied in some quarters. Although outclassed in the latter race, he has plenty of ability and despite conceding weight he can go very close.
Selection: IVAN GROZNY
Next best: Sempre Medici
5.25 BOOMERANG ANIMAL BEDDING MAIDEN HURDLE 2M4F
Exactoris won two bumpers last season before finishing mid division behind a better fancied McManus-owned runner at Navan on his hurdling debut.
The five-year-old is sure to have been well-schooled in the interim and makes his return in what looks a moderate affair. It will be disappointing for connections should he fail to break his maiden tag before going on to better things over the summer.
Jack The Wire was an impressive winner of a bumper at this track on his racecourse debut and, although one could argue he hasn’t gone on from that, he should be good enough to make the selection work now.
Selection: EXACTORIS
Next best: Jack The Wire
5.55 FOLLOW @TIPPERARYRACES.IE HANDICAP HURDLE 3M
Cadawill has a serious chance of overturning Kilbeggan form with Rolling Revenge at these weights.
The Rodger Sweeney-trained seven-year-old was staying on well at the finish at the midlands track and will almost certainly get closer now. Already a distance winner, he has the aid of Davy Russell in the plate and can at the very least reward eachway backers.