Weekend Preview | Portrush 19th October

Race 1: Dennison Commercials Ltd 4yo Maiden

Colin Bowe has been the man to follow within the four-year-old maiden division in the opening weeks of the current season, and he could be well represented in this, including with PREMIUMACCESS.

That Milan gelding chased home the subsequent big-price seller Wide Receiver on his debut at Cragmore, and so there will be plenty of interest in how he fares as a result. Mounty Guiry was only beaten by a length at Rathcannon in April by Virak and is sure to be a big player, whilst Pats Fancy, Junior Rattler and Punchers Path are others that should not be too far away.

Race 2: O’Connor, Kennedy & Turtle and Tattersalls Ireland 5yo Geldings Maiden

HARD GROUND only went down by three quarters of a length at the end of last season when a close second at Kinsale in June. It would not take much further improvement for him to get his head in front.

All six of Colin McKeevers runners this season have finished in the first four, including Tardree who has the benefit of recent race fitness having finished second at Toomebridge on the opening day of the season, and that will certainly stand to him here. Meanwhile, Billy Kimber was unable to make much of an impact at Down Royal last Christmas, however he was previously sent off as a short-priced favourite for a four-year-old maiden, and may be one to keep an eye on.

Race 3: Drenagh Sawmills 5yo Mares Maiden

TIMBER TANG GIRL was well supported ahead of her seasonal re-appearance at Toomebridge on the opening day of the season, when she finished third. That recent race fitness will be a real plus here.

Killimorrie could make her stable debut for Gerald Quinn in this contest having run for Pat Kearns last season where she finished a close second at Necarne in the spring, whilst she was still in contention when departing at Ballingarry on her latest outing. Any Time is a horse with a good deal of experience and she should also get competitive in a race like this.

Race 4: Royal Court Hotel Open

The Chris Jones colours have already been carried to success in open company at Castletown-Geoghegan with Space Cadet, and track recruit MALA BEACH could add to that here. Last seen pulling up before the second-last in the Aintree National behind Tiger Roll, the 11-year-old is a former Troytown Chase winner with a track rating of 152 ensuring he is the one to beat.

New stable companion Vyta Du Roc can improve upon his pointing debut, whilst Call It Magic is another smart former track performer, who was well fancied for the Topham Chase over the National fences at Aintree in the spring, before exiting at the Canal Turn.

Race 5: Cunningham Covers Winner Of Three

SOME MAN could well follow up his Toomebridge victory on what was his stable debut on the opening day of the season, by returning to the winners enclosure at the venue that he won his maiden as a four-year-old.

Stablemate Pyrios dead-heated at Castletown-Geoghegan, but the main opposition could come from another horse with previous winning experience around here in Minimum Mix. He won the older maiden on this card 12 months ago and took a big step forward at the end of last season, to ensure he could be a serious player.

Race 6: W. Oliver Exorna Ltd 6yo Geldings Maiden

BACK TO BATAAN has not been seen in the pointing fields since chasing home Belharbour Two at Necarne in 2017, however he has posted a number of decent displays under rules, including when finishing second at 14/1 over hurdles at Sligo on his penultimate start.

This could be a good opportunity for him to get his head in front. Hollybank King ran one of his best races around here as a five-year-old in 2017, whilst The Bolder Boy and Paddys Hill cannot be ruled out either.