12:05pm – Bay Ambition @ 6/1
Gavin Cromwell won this race 12 months ago courtesy of Aasleagh Dawn, and he looks to hold sound claims of repeating the dose here with BAY AMBITION. She was well suited by the longer trip when opening her account in a Downpatrick maiden last month, and with further improvement on the cards, it will be disappointing if she can’t mount a bold follow-up bid on handicap debut. Rightdownthemiddle and Electricitywork are others who might have a say in proceedings.
12:35pm – Abacadabras @ 5/6
ABACADABRAS was smart in bumpers last season, making the frame in a couple of Grade 1s in the spring, and there was also plenty to like about his hurdling debut at Gowran Park last month, when forging clear in the closing stages to win with any amount in hand.
This is sure to take far more winning, but he remains open to significant progress and looks to hold leading claims for Gordon Elliott, who has won two of the last three renewals of this race, including the 2016 edition with subsequent Supreme winner Labaik.
Fast Buck, who has been steadily progressive since joining Willie Mullins, is feared most ahead of Uisce Solas.
1:05pm – Apple’s Jade @ 2/7
APPLE’S JADE is difficult to oppose as she attempts to win this race for the third year in succession. Admittedly, Gigginstown’s star mare ended last season in the doldrums, but her record at this time of year is second to none – she won her first four starts of the 2018/19 campaign by an aggregate of 73 lengths – and the class edge she has over her rivals here should ensure that she wins even if below her very best. Bacardys looks the obvious candidate for the forecast spot.
1:35pm – Andy Dufresne @ 8/11
ANDY DUFRESNE was an expensive purchase after winning his sole outing in points and looks likely to go some way to justifying his hefty price tag if the evidence of his bumper win at Down Royal in January is anything to go by.
Indeed, his 10-length win there seemed to barely the scratch the surface of his ability and there are few more exciting prospects for novice hurdles this season than him, with this maiden likely to prove his for the taking before going on to bigger and better things. Impatient Partner and Alpine Cobra can battle it out for a share of the minor money.
2:10pm – Duc Des Genievres @ 11/8
This looks a fascinating clash between a pair of Cheltenham Festival winners, with DUC DES GENIEVRES just shading the vote over A Plus Tard. Below form when last seen at Punchestown, he is much better judged on the form of his Arkle success at Prestbury Park, when leaving his rivals for dead to win by 13 lengths.
That form sets the standard here, even with his Grade 1 penalty taken into account, and he is fancied to get the new campaign off to the perfect start for Willie Mullins, who boasts an embarrassment of riches in this division.
2:45pm – Winner Takes Itall @ 9/2
WINNER TAKES ITALL could be the way to go here on his handicap debut. He comfortably shed his maiden tag at Listowel last time, and, still lightly raced in the context of this race, his scope for further improvement suggests he may have been let in lightly from an opening mark of 116.
There are several dangers in open heat, though, with The Moyglass Flyer and Dollys Destination perhaps chief amongst them.
3:15pm – Melon @ 5/4
This race boasts an illustrious roll of honour, with Footpad and Anibale Fly featuring amongst those to have won it in recent years, and MELON certainly wouldn’t be out of place if adding his name to that list on chasing debut. Willie Mullins’ charge was top-class over the smaller obstacles, finishing second in back-to-back renewals of the Champion Hurdle, and he could go right to the very top in this discipline if showing his fences the necessary respect (not always fluent over hurdles).
Off You Go and Fakir d’Oudairies were also talented hurdlers and add further depth to what looks a fascinating race of its type.
3:50pm – Jungle Junction @ 10/3
JUNGLE JUNCTION showed plenty of ability when last seen finishing second at the Punchestown Festival, in a race where the first two pulled well clear of the remainder. That form sets the clear standard here on weight-adjusted ratings, and while there are several interesting newcomers in opposition, Jungle Junction remains with potential in his own right and looks a good bet to make it third-time lucky in the finale.
Timeform Picks:
12:05pm – Bay Ambition @ 6/1
12:35pm – Abacadabras @ 6/5
1:05pm – Apple’s Jade @ 2/7
1:35pm – Andy Dufresne @ 8/11
2:10pm – Duc Des Genievres @ 11/8
2:45pm – Winner Takes Itall @ 9/2
3:15pm – Melon @ 5/4
3:50pm – Jungle Junction @ 10/3
*All prices correct at time of posting
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