Race 1: Goffs 4yo Maiden
The John Nallen-trained MINELLA LIGHTENING is the only horse that brings previous experience, having been strongly fancied ahead of his debut at Bellharbour. He finished second, beaten 15 lengths on that occasion, having run well for a long way, and may be suited by dropping back in trip here.
Donnchadh Doyle won last years renewal and is represented once again, as is Pat Doyle, who has already won two four-year-old maiden races this month.
Race 2: Cavan Developments 5yo Geldings Maiden
CLONDAW PROMISE was in front of the potentially re-opposing Freedelivery prior to crashing out at the final fence at Ballinaboola a fortnight ago. He would have gone close, and has to be given strong claims here in what on paper appears to be a competitive race.
Costalotmore is another final-fence faller that will be seeking compensation, as he had run well at Tattersalls Farm, the Donnchadh Doyle-pairing of Go Whatever and Keep Wondering are sure to go close, whilst Irish Hill is worth a second chance, as he never got involved at Tattersalls, but had caught the eye on debut at Kirkistown.
Race 3: Quinns of Baltinglass Farmers Hunt Race
ENNISKILLEN has become something of a standing dish in this race as he looks to win it for the fourth consecutive year. Now a 14-year-old, he had his traditional pipe-opener in the PP Hogan race over the banks course here last Sunday, when out-running his price to finish a very encouraging fifth.
Stablemate Change Your Story pulled-up on his first outing for the Maher yard, but has previously beaten leading open performer Fennos Storm to win a Dromahane maiden for Robert Tyner, whilst Cagliostro had finished placed as a four-year-old, but still remains a maiden.
Race 4: Mongey Communications Open- Novice Riders
SAMANNTOM has held his form well throughout the season, placing in four of his five outings, including in Hunter Chase company at Thurles last month, and he will look to follow-up his Turtulla success from November. Fellow Tipperary raider Some Are Lucky will quickly look to follow up his Oldtown success from last Sunday in what would be his fourth victory of the season.
Carrignagapple comfortably accounted for the subsequent Limerick Hunter Chase winner Glorious Galway at Cork in November, and if bouncing back to his best, he would have live chances, alongside Holly Flight, who came from off the pace to win at Dungarvan last month.
Race 5: Jacqueline McManus Solicitors 5yo Mares Maiden
This has the look of a wide-open race with little placed form on offer, and so it is the luckless Lady Maureen and Uppertown Poppie that bring the strongest points form to the race. The latter having finished second at Mainstown last month and she will be out to make amends for an early departure at Tyrella most recently.
Of the newcomers, Racks Cross and Primo Scintilla hail from yards that do particularly well with mares, whilst Aweeminit comes from the track having run twice in Bumpers for Fergal OBrien.
Race 6: Dublin Products Ltd 6yo Geldings Maiden
The locally trained BROADWAY STAR bounced back to his best at Tattersalls Farm before Christmas on his return to action when only narrowly beaten in a big-field contest. He should be able to back that up and get his head in front here.
Orpen Wells returns from a mid-season break having finished placed on good ground at both Ballingarry and Dowth Hall, whilst Kilrane Road ran well at Ballinaboola earlier in the month and is one to keep an eye on here as that was just his first completed run to date.
