*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
14:05 – BETTER TIMES AHEAD
BETTER TIMES AHEAD left the impression there was a fair bit more in the tank when successful in a big field at Naas last month so he may be able to cope with a 10lb rise. Another in the J. P. McManus colours, four-year-old Celestial Horizon, confirmed previous promise when off the mark at the same track last time and is likely to be capable of better again in his first handicap so he’s feared most. Vadaly and Only Sky complete the shortlist.
14:40 – ICARE ALLEN
ICARE ALLEN has the best form after winning a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse in February and finishing fourth in the Triumph Hurdle last time and can provide Willie Mullins with a fifth win in this Grade 2 contest since 2014. Thomas Cooper’s French recruit Garrybello might be the one to give him most to do ahead of Lunar Power, who was behind the selection at Cheltenham.
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15:15 – FESTIVAL D’EX
FESTIVAL D’EX bumped into the rapidly improving Macs Charm at Naas last month and is taken to go one better this time for the Gordon Elliott/Davy Russell combination. Carrig Sam is unbeaten in two runs here, the latter a handicap, but may have to settle for second this time. The selection’s stablemate Folcano should find this a touch easier than the Pertemps at the Cheltenham Festival and is also on the shortlist.
15:50 – HEAVEN HELP US
HEAVEN HELP US wasn’t disgraced when sixth in the Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham and holds leading claims at these weights so gets the nod in this very open Grade 2 contest. Whiskey Sour heads the list of dangers on the back of his Leopardstown success, although fellow recent scorers Flame Bearer and Santa Rossa both seem sure to have a say too.
16:20 – BLACKBOW
Willie Mullins fields four of the sextet in this Grade 2 chase and his recent wide-margin Clonmel scorer BLACKBOW is fancied to emerge on top from stablemate and course-and-distance winner Janidil. Easy Game appeals as the pick of the remainder and can complete a clean sweep for the yard.
17:00 – TIME TO GET UP
TIME TO GET UP won the 2021 Midlands National and was a creditable third in the same race again last month off a higher mark. With few miles on the clock, he has all the qualities to win an Irish National and gets the vote. Gaillard du Mesnil got no luck at Cheltenham and surely has a big prize over fences in him. Full Time Score is another lightly-raced chaser who also ticks plenty of the right boxes. Velvet Elvis and Farclas, the pick of eleven runners for Gordon Elliott, are also respected.
17:40 – DONKEY YEARS
DONKEY YEARS has gone with some promise of late in finishing placed at Thurles and Leopardstown on his last couple of starts and is fancied to capitalise on a handy-looking mark. Agent Boru is feared.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
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