Race 1: Scallys Super Valu, Clonakilty 4yo Maiden
Donnchadh Doyle holds six entries in this and of those with previous runs the pick would have to be ONTHEFRONTFOOT. The son of Shantou ran a big race to be second at Loughrea and could go one better here. Another of his entries to note is On The Slopes, who posted a good run first time out at Tyrella in March. Embittered was running very well on debut when unshipping his jockey at the penultimate fence, and will have come on from the run. Of the remainder, Some Detail and Flaming Glory could get close.
Race 2: McCarthy Greenbuild Construction 5yo Geldings Maiden
A tentative selection here is OCCUPIED who may well have been held in fifth when coming to grief at the penultimate fence last time out at Dromahane. However, the son of Golan has shown some promise finishing third in a point-to-point bumper at Cork prior to this. Great Fairy was third on his penultimate start and could go close, whilst the newcomers may hold the key to this race and the market will give the best guide as to what is expected from them.
Race 3: Clona Dairys Winner of One
SANDYCOVE ISLAND posted a career best effort to finish second in a hunter chase last season and he returned to form at Oldcastle last week and has to be respected on the drop down from open company. Kensukes Kingdom won his maiden at Tallow in February, the second and third on that occasion have both won since. The Roisin Hickey-trained son of Stowaway looks the one to challenge the selection. Elsewhere, Starozov is worth noting.
Race 4: Fernhill House Hotel & Gardens 5yo+ Mares Maiden
LIVELY BEAT is a well-bred daughter of Beat Hollow who stayed-on strongly to finish third behind a much thought of winner in a competitive heat at Bartlemy. That debut effort would leave her as the undoubted one to beat. Her stable companion Hello Pilgrim ran well at Stradbally against geldings’ last time out and can run a big race alongside Kilbree Shadow, All The Ways West, Kilbree Shadow and Lauramy.
Race 5: Clonakilty Blackpudding & Clonakilty Point to Point Open
VALCO DE TOUZAINE represents the in-form yard of Pat Doyle and was a three-time open winner last spring. Dissapointing on his return at Loughrea in October, he has not run since and can be expected to leave the effort behind him. Drawn N Drank was a very deserving winner at Oldcastle last Sunday and is a thoroughly consistent performer sure to run his race, whilst an improved performance can be expected from Western Man, who seems to reserve his best of better conditions than he has encountered for much of this season.
Race 6: Springmount Stud & Clonakilty Point to Point 6yo+ Geldings Maiden
CAPTAINS RUN put in a bold display from the front at Monksgrange last month when only going down by the narrowest of margins. He would not need to find much improvement from that to come out on top in this. Bunninadden seemed to enjoy conditions at Stradbally most recently when only losing out on the run-in, whilst Uallrightharry has been progressing with each run and finished second to a track recruit at Dromahane suggesting he could go very close in a race like this.
