We start the day off in Down Royal where we have BALLYBOW in the opening maiden hurdle. He was last seen in a large runner maiden hurdle in Fairyhouse following his bumper success. This should suit better and we claim off him with Carl Millar.
Another maiden hurdle follows this time over 2m1f. BATTLEOFTHEBOYNE is a half brother to Hollow Games so will benefit from time in his career and will be ridden by Conor Stone-Walsh. SCALPNAGOON has the benefit of a run under his belt and is the pick of Carl.
Our first runner over fences at the meeting is LIGHTKEEPER who returns in a beginners chase. He has been running consistently and may find more favour in handicap company. This will be another ride for Carl.
Our final runners up north come in the bumper where we have BECTIVE THUNDER and THEFLYINGKING. Bective Thunder is a half brother to the very good Grangeclare West and is having his first run on the track with Finn Brickley in the saddle. Theflyingking is a winner of a p2p and thus comes with a bit of a reputation to prove. We hope he can run well and learn plenty with Barry O’Neill in the saddle.
Next on the menu we move to Leopardstown where we start the day off with WHINEY HILL in the maiden hurdle. This looks a hot contest which should throw up an exciting horse or two. Sam Ewing has been booked to ride and hopefully the pair go well.
JACOBS LADDER goes in the next, a maiden hurdle. A line can be put through his last run and he should be seen to better affect over larger obstacles given his size. Sam Ewing has been booked to ride.
LYGON LAD is having his second attempt in handicap company. He ran to great credit on handicap debut when he was second and can hopefully improve again off a workable mark. Sam Ewing rides.
It’s a smaller runner Grade 1 where we have 3 of the 4 runners. BETTER DAYS AHEAD looks to be the market favourite and he is a Cheltenham winner. First on his only start over fences so far he looks to have more under the hood and will be ridden by Danny Gilligan. Sam Ewing has decided to partner up with last time out Grade 1 winner CROKE PARK. This horse lacks consistency but so far over fences hasn’t put a foot wrong. STELLAR STORY has no question about stamina as the Albert Bartlett winner from last season, he broke his chase maiden in Grade 2 company so will add a bit of spice to this with Keith booked to ride.
Finally to close out Leopardstown we have MA JACKS HILL and MISTER BOX in the bumper. This horse came with a big reputation the last day and got headed in the final furlong. A bit more race-craft from that run will benefit him and he is the pick of Harry Swan. MISTER BOX is having his debut here and is by the very good Blue Bresil who gets his fair share of bumper winners. Josh Williamson has been booked to ride and claims 7lbs.
Our last stop of the day is Limerick where LAKOTA BLUE starts the day off in a 3yo maiden hurdle. This horse has plenty of experience now which should play to his favour and he is ridden by Jordan Gainford.
The ground looks ideal for KAINSBOURG in his first Irish start. He is a beautifully bred son of Doctor Dino and will be ridden by Jordan Gainford.
For the Grade 2 Novice Hurdle we have MINELLA SIXO and PRENDS GARDE A TOI. Minella Sixo has some really solid form and wears his heart on his sleeve. It would be great to see him go well here with Jordan Gainford in the saddle. Prends Garde a toi will need to run to a career best here to win but can hopefully go well and finish in the frame, Kevin Sexton has been booked to ride.
GERS GIGI is the top weight in the mares handicap hurdle and is another horse who has been running well of late. This looks a very open race where fitness will have a big part to play. Jordan takes the ride.
Our final runner of the afternoon is newcomer FORCEONMYOWN. This mare was a winner of her point to point on her last start and has her first run under rules here. This is a very open race where Josh Halford has been booked to ride and claims 7lbs.
