Weekend Preview | Castletown-Geoghegan 06th October

Race 1: Compas Stallions (My Dream Boat) 4yo Maiden

OCEAN DRIFTER set a strong tempo on his debut at Punchestown over the shorter 2m 4f trip when ultimately finishing third behind the well-touted Power Of Pause. Returning a fresh sort following an eight month break, he sets the standard among these.

Barry ONeill and Colin Bowe have combined to win each of the last two renewals of this year, and their Ahead Of Schedule built up a great deal of experience last season. Texas Gold, stablemate of the selection Ocean Drifter, improved to finish third at Ballysteen in April, whilst Ballingarry-fourth Junior Rattler, and Ballinaboola-placed Minella Wizard, are others with chances.

Race 2: 5&6yo Mares Maiden

Although a beaten favourite when ending her debut season with a third at Ballysteen in April SHOOT TO CAME could gain compensation here for the Sean Doyle team.

Boomtime Banker, an unfortunate late faller at Tralee, has an easy alternative at Toomebridge 24 hours earlier, which may leave Gold Creek, or Queen Among Kings, three horses that have previously made the frame, to offer the chief opposition.

Race 3: Winner of Two

The Paddy Turley-trained TAREESHAR is the clear horse to beat as the Oldtown maiden winner ended last season by finishing a fine second in a Downpatrick Hunter Chase behind Billaway. He will be expected to kick off his new season with victory here.

Pennyforapound won the four-year-old maiden on this card 12 months ago, with Some Man another four-year-old maiden winner, who is with a new yard following just three outings with Paul Nicholls.

Race 4: Tattersalls Ireland 5&6yo Geldings Maiden

This has a very wide open looking race and it may present YES DES TAILLONS with an ideal opportunity to gain some compensation following his late departure at Tralee in May. The Colin McKeever pairing of Tardree and Elmdale offered promise last season and can enter the equation alongside Young O Leary.

Race 5: Open- Novice Riders

VYTA DU ROC contested the Welsh National, Cheltenham Festival Cross Country and Bet365 Gold Cup in each of his last three outings for Nicky Henderson, and so this former 150-rated hurdler that chased home Thistlecrack in Grade 1 company in his earlier days, should notice a notable drop in grade here for his first outing with Gordon Elliott.

His ex-stablemate Reigning Supreme did not reach the same heights when in Seven Barrows, but joins Pat Doyle having won at Kempton 11 months ago on his last competitive outing. Some Are Lucky won seven races last season, including the Barbour Cup at this venue in April, and will give the track recruits a good test.

Race 6: 6yo Maiden

The returning CRIO CUERVOS has not seen competitive action since he finished second at Ballyragget in March 2018, however if capable of recapturing that form, he would be the one to beat.

Quill Road finished fifth in the five and six-year-old maiden on this card 12 months ago on what was his stable debut, ensuring he too is returning from an absence, whilst Pyrios is a horse we have seen more recently. He actually won his maiden at Loughanmore in May, only to be disqualified during the summer.