Arthor

(Jimmy Mangan)

Thurles, January 22nd

Considering he gave away ground by jumping out to his left at most flights, it was a decent showing from this Jimmy Mangan-trained six-year-old to finish third and get within a length and a quarter of Jack de Bromhead Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle-bound Belle The Lioness.

It was an auction maiden hurdle that lacked depth but he could be up to making his presence felt in a handicap hurdle off a mark of 104 when reverting to a left-handed track.

Marronstown

(David Christie)

Down Royal, January 24th

David Christie has his string in fine fettle at present and this £35,000 point-to-point purchase shaped with plenty of promise on his rules debut when third in a maiden hurdle over two miles and a furlong.

He proved no match for promising winner Doctor Bravo and useful runner-up The Big Doyen, but the six-year-old by Frozen Fire came home encouragingly to suggest he has a future over hurdles.

Gold Haven

(Michael Mulvany)

Navan, January 21st

She may have been overlooked at odds of 25/1 on just her second start in handicap hurdle company last weekend, but this Mick Mulvany-trained five-year-old mare is bound to be of interest next time after being narrowly denied by major improver Pure Sirloin.

She had previously shaped with minor promise against some useful types in maiden hurdles and looked much more comfortable when dropping in class at the Meath venue. A 3lb rise to a mark of 90 does not appear to be harsh.

Suttons Hill

(Richard O’Brien)

Navan, January 21st

Time may prove it was quite the effort from this Richard O’Brien-trained six-year-old to finish second behind new Weatherbys Champion Bumper favourite It’s For Me here, and the Arcadio gelding looks good enough to go one better in a bumper before long. Positioned off the pace - in contrast to the eventual winner and third - his finishing effort was particularly eyecatching for one making his rules debut. He previously had won on one of his five point-to-point starts.

By Your Side

(Gordon Elliott)

Gowran Park January 26th

He may have been safely beaten by seven lengths in third but it was a creditable performance from this Gordon Elliott-trained four-year-old to show up as well as he did in a 20-runner handicap hurdle when taking on older and much more experienced rivals.

Previously a three-time winner on the flat with Ed Dunlop, By Your Side isn’t one of his stable’s stars but looks capable of popping up in a similar event with normal progression from this first start in a handicap hurdle. There is scope for improvement if he can sharpen up his jumping.

Jerisk Star

(Liz Doyle)

Gowran Park, January 26th

It looked as though Liz Doyle’s newcomer was set to make a winning debut in the concluding four-year-old bumper on Thyestes day at Gowran Park before getting outstayed by well-regarded winner D Art D Art.

Jerisk Star traded as short as 1/25 in the in-running markets before being denied by a length in second. A sizeable gelding by quality sire No Risk At All, he is bred to be smart as a half-brother to two blacktype performers.