We’re so back as we head to one of our favourite hunting grounds to really start the season proper!
In fin GE Racing style we start the day with a strong hand in the 2m6f maiden hurdle. The top of the billing will be WITH NOLIMIT who was a bit of a surprise winner of the Punchestown Champion bumper when last seen. He has shown us that stamina will be his thing and Jack Kennedy has chosen him as his mount. WATER MILL will be having his first start for us and also his first under rules. He should be in good nick for this and will improve from his efforts, Danny Gilligan has been booked to ride. Rounding off the team is THE STAGS, he probably won’t be the same quality as the other pair but can’t be dismissed as he has only been seen on the P2P field so far. Sam Ewing has been booked to ride.
Currently we have just the one runner in the 0-100 handicap hurdle in the shape of SNEDDY EDDIE. He was penalized for his last win over hurdles and hasn’t been dropped back down to that mark yet. He has been kept busy on the flat so fitness isn’t an issue, Jack Kennedy has been booked to ride. Westin Pimpernel is second reserve.
For the mares novices hurdle we have TORPILLE DAGROSTIS. She looks a mare with plenty of quality based on her performances last season. She could be in the mix based on ratings and will be ridden by Jack Kennedy.
We have often used the Bottlegreen hurdle as a stepping stone for some of our smart hurdlers for the season and this year we have three stepping up to the mantle. EL CAIROS has become a bit of a celebrity and it was great to see him get his head in front the last day where the running tactics were changed slightly. Public expectations are still very high for this horse but we’re happy for him to guide the way and Danny has been booked to ride for the first time. MANGE TOUT looks to be a very high caliber mare and she earned her flowers when winning a Grade 1 in Aintree last season. She will be the mount of Jack Kennedy. Rounding off the team will be GENEROUS RISK who danced every dance last season and gained plenty of mileage. This will be a bit of a step back in trip for him and he will be ridden by Josh Williamson.
MANOIR DE MIRANDE will be our only runner in the Metcollect Handicap chase over 2 miles. This will be his first crack at handicap company and can potentially be flying under the radar. Hopefully everything can go well and he can skip into the placings or better under Jack Kennedy.
We have plenty of darts to fire at the board in the beginners chase where we have a total of 4 declared for the 14 runner field. BALLYFAD looks the pick of our runners here having placed in Grade 1 company last season and can hopefully get up to the same grade here again under Jack Kennedy. KAZANSKY was another smart hurdler last season and score in Grade 2 company. Sam has been booked to ride. PORT AUTHORITY returns after a break and is very lightly raced. He looks a smart horse based on what we’ve seen to date and Danny Gilligan has been booked to ride. SEPT ETOILES rounds off the group for local connections. He has won at a big price before and his pedigree looks more suitable for chasing so hopefully he can flurish under Jordan Gainford.
Our final runner of the afternoon will be PREMIER DIVISION in the bumper. This is a race we have had plenty of fortune with in the past and this horse has good experience in competitive events. Harry Swan has been booked to ride.