Its the start of the national hunt season proper and it has been christened with a down pouring of rain!

As we make our annual pilgrimage to Down Royal we send forward 15 runners however the ground is likely to change at this rate. We have 3 runners in the 2m6 maiden hurdle which will be a marathon event. JUKE HILL who is having his first run under rules. He had some promising runs in point to points and could improve further here with Jordan Gainford in the saddle. KAZANSKY is another to come from the point to point field and he was a winner the last day. His pedigree suits this sort of race and he should be a stout stayer with Sam Ewing in the saddle. THEFLYINGKING looks like the pick of our lot for this race and he was a winner of his bumper on his last start. Jack Kennedy has chosen to ride him.

For the 0-100 handicap hurdle we have CHER TARA and CREADAN GRACE. It will be a big day for owner Jim Power as he owns both. Cher Tara has picked up her form in recent runs and could well improve further with Danny Gilligan booked to ride. Creadan Grace could be on a lovely mark where we claim a further 5lbs off with James Smith. Fingers crossed one of the pair can finish in the frame.

There are two nice and improving sorts in the mares novice hurdle. Both fillies are in Grade 3 company for the first time. BLUE WATERS hasn’t done much wrong and looks a very smart filly who will progress as the season goes on. Jack Kennedy has chosen her to ride. Getaway Beo has only had the one run and is a bit of an unknown. Again she has done nothing wrong and could spring a surprise with Danny Gilligan in the saddle.

The Listed bottlegreen hurdle looks a really nice renewal where we have THE YELLOW CLAY and CASHELDALE LAD. THE YELLOW CLAY has been a revelation and starts his season here. He could go to the very top of the game again with Jack Kennedy booked to ride. Casheldale Lad has been in good form and his win the last day stamped his Galway hurdle form. He has race fitness and will be ridden by Jordan Gainford.

SOMEONE’S WISH was a winner the last day and could be spot on for this. He is off a really nice mark here and is Jack Kennedy’s pick. ST FAZ always runs a nice race and it was good to get a run under his belt for the team, we claim off him with Carl Millar.

Its a small field for the beginners chase where we have PATTER MERCHANT and ROMEO COOLIO. Romeo looks the pick of the bunch here and he was a top horse last season. Hopefully he makes the progression we think he will and Jack Kennedy has been booked to ride.

Rounding off the team is PANJANDRUM and SKERRY HILL in the bumper. Skerry Hill looks a nice sort and was a winner of his point to point. He has a hood on for his debut and hopefully can settle with Harry Swan booked to ride. Panjandrum might be a dark horse for the season and we claim with Josh Williamson taking 5lbs off.