12:00 – Rockys Howya
12:32 – Rusheen
13:07 – Balko Dange
13:42 – Say It So
14:17 – Sommesky
14:52 – Ned In The Park
15:27 – Duffys Hodey
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
It remains to be seen if ROCKY’S HOWYA is as good as he was (former fourth at the Cheltenham Festival) but his comeback run in a point last month was encouraging. Hitak remains relatively unexposed and he’s feared despite having been absent for quite a while. Willitgoahead has the wind in his sails, while Drumnasoo needs a second look.
Hard to be bullish about any of them but RUSHEEN ran well over hurdles at this fixture last year and made a good start over fences when fifth in a Clonmel handicap. He can come forward from that and is chosen to strike under JJ Slevin. Atacanter had a good run here in March and can contend while Quornofamonday and Duffys Getaway are interesting handicap debutants. This longer trip will be better for Whateys Quest and watch how he goes in the betting.
A competitive race. Eagles Reign and Bright Legend are much respected with history in stronger company but BALKO D’ANGE has had the form of his latest defeat here franked and he brings plenty of potential into handicaps. Messerschmitt is also of interest, as are others.
The in-form McNamara yard can strike again with dual-purpose performer SAY IT SO who has been in cracking form in both codes since the summer. Course maiden winner Rut Daniels and Killaney King, who should improve from his return at Cork, may be the main dangers.
This looks a good opportunity for course bumper winner SOMMESKY (nap) who ran a lovely race on hurdling debut when fourth in a better race at Fairyhouse. Custom Taylor, in common with the selection, will enjoy stepping up in trip and can confirm Galway placings with Mi Lucky Cailin. Declan Queally’s mare is capable of putting it up to the likely favourite.
For the vast majority of these positives are thin on the ground. NED IN THE PARK showed enough in his bumpers to believe he’s up to winning a maiden of this nature. Solsbury Hill was behind the selection at Punchestown in the summer but has some hurdling experience behind him. Walk In The Dark and Hackney Hill are preferred of the others.
Given how DUFFYS HODEY emerged from off the pace to win so well at Clonmel, the 8lb rise could have been worse. Knockbrack Rambler was runner-up that day and he has each-way claims, while River Vale has the potential to be a lively one on his handicap debut.
12:00 – Rockys Howya
12:32 – Rusheen
13:07 – Balko Dange
13:42 – Say It So
14:17 – Sommesky
14:52 – Ned In The Park
15:27 – Duffys Hodey
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.
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