The season is well and truly underway as we have runners on either side of the Irish sea.

Over in Sligo we start off in the Jopie Scanlon Memorial hurdle where we have DEPLOYED and FIRM FOOTINGS. Firm Footings is coming back off his summer break and this looks a nice start for him. He holds a lot of promise for the season and Jack Kennedy is boked to ride. Deployed is having his first run for us and also his first since 2020. We’ll take things steady with him and hopefully he can have a nice reintroduction to the racetrack with Sam Ewing booked to ride.

For the mares handicap hurdle we have GAYE WINNE. This mare won on her penultimate start and made a very bad mistake last time out in Perth. She had her excuses that day and will have Jack Kennedy back in the saddle.

For the QR maiden hurdle we have ZAIDI and Josh Williamson who claims 4lbs. Josh won his first race yesterday on Housemartin and we hope that he can quickly back that up with another here. Zaidi looks a quality horse and was 2nd last time out and Josh is as stylish as they come so we hope the pair get on well.

It’s a bit of a break to our next horse, WILL DO in the 3m1f maiden hurdle. This horse is returning off his summer break and looks to have improved for it. He was very promising last season and looked like a horse that may take a bit of time. Jack Kennedy has been booked to ride.

Finally for Sligo in the bumper we have BLEU DE VASSEY who is having his first start for the team. He was a good second in point to points and this looks a very open race with many people claiming. We’re included in that cohort and have Josh Williamson in the saddle taking 7lbs.

Over in Cheltenham we kick off the day with ROYAL EAGLE in the Conditional Jockeys’ handicap hurdle over 2m.5f. She has been on a great winning streak lately and is in good form. She will have a lot to do at the weights but Danny Gilligan flies over for the ride and claims 3lbs.

For the Novices hurdle we have MEL MONROE who was a winner on her last start and goes here fresh. It looks a competitive field and we have got Sean Bowen in the saddle.

Next up is ARCTIC AMBITION in the Amateur’s handicap chase. This horse is wonderfully consistent and it would be brilliant to see him go well here again for connections. Harry Swan flies over but unfortunately doesn’t get to claim. Hopefully the pair can get into the frame.

Finally our last runner of the day in Cheltenham is KANSAS CITY STAR. This horse came another good second last time out but we have cheekpieces fitted for the first time and Danny Gilligan is booked who can claim 5lbs in this. It looks very competitive but we’re hoping he has an outside chance.