3:40 – Hunters Chase
An Droichead Gorm 6/4 – S G Carey, Mr N Bashford (7)
The nine-year-old has performed well in his last two starts for his new yard, following a lengthy lay-off.
He comes into the race off the back of a point-to-point win at Monksgrange over three miles.
This is over 2m5f but he has performed respectively over a shorter trip in the past and the jockey claims a useful 7lbs.
He finished a close second to last year’s dual Festival-winner Singing Banjo at Wexford in June, giving him 18lbs.
That was on his reappearance and he will surely have improved for it, giving him every chance here.
4:15 – Novice Handicap Chase (Grade A)
El Barra 12/1 – Willie Mullins, Jack Foley (5)
He finished a distant third in the Turners last month, in the race won by Bob Olinger following Galopin Des Champs’ unfortunate fall at the last.
He was held up there, and probably wouldn’t have had a tough race when running predominantly for some prize money in such classy company.
This race is run over 2m5f, which is a bit of an unknown for him, but he did win an extended 2m1f race at a canter ahead of his Cheltenham appearance, beating former Grade Three winner Soviet Pimpernel by ten-lengths.
He has come up against some nice types this season since making the switch to fences.
Blue Lord beat him on chase debut, and he has since gone on to win two Grade One contests, whilst Thedevilscoachman finished ahead of El Barra at Fairyhouse and subsequently went on to win a Grade Two ahead of Ashdale Bob and Commander Of Fleet.
That formline reads well, as Ashdale Bob has been a consistent horse this year, and Commander Of Fleet won a Grade Three handicap at the Cheltenham Festival.
El Barra is available at an enticing price here and could prove to be good value.
5:25 – Champion Hurdle (Grade 1)
Darasso 80/1 (EW – 2 places or 16/1 w/o Honeysuckle) – Joseph O’Brien, L P Dempsey
Honeysuckle surely wins if she runs her race, so looking away from the favourite there could be some value in the market from a betting angle, and that value could come from massive outsider Darasso.
His form reads well 214121, with all of those runs coming in Graded contests.
He was a three-length second to 161-rated Saldier on his return to hurdles in October over this trip.
The ground should suit here and he might not be the worst each-way shout at such a big price.
6:00 – Champion Novice Hurdle (Grade 1)
Three Stripe Life 3/1 – Gordon Elliott, Davy Russell
He finally won a Grade One recently, having finished second in three, behind Mighty Potter on one occasion, and twice behind Sir Gerhard at Leopardstown and Cheltenham respectively.
Beating Might I by four-and-three-quarter-lengths, he won well at Aintree, showing plenty of class.
Given he has recovered well and is ready for this contest, he should be able to mount a challenge.
State Man is a fancied favorite following his impressive win in the County Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.
He’s had more time to prepare for this, whilst Three Stripe Life has had two tough races in the matter of weeks.
That is a slight concern, but he’s a horse worth sticking with, and definitely one to follow next season.
7:10 – Novice Hurdle
Ha D’Or 6/1 – Willie Mullins, Danny Mullins
Performed well when just beaten by the progressive Flame Bearer at Fairyhouse.
He won his maiden over hurdles at the same track in January, beating the useful Celestial Horizon.
Stablemate El Fabiolo will be the one to beat, having narrowly missed out on the Grade One Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree.
If able to replicate that performance he will likely be good enough to win this, but Ha D’Or could represent some value from perhaps an each-way angle.
By Katie Midwinter (28/04/22)
THE CONDITIONAL 