The 2022/23 season kicks off at Toomebridge on Saturday with a six-race card that has attracted a total of 56 entries.
Race 1 – In Memory of Marshall Fleming 4YO Mares Maiden
Con McSweeney could claim the opening race of the season with REBEL TREATY. She was only narrowly denied on her debut at Dromahane in May and the form of the race has been franked with the horse immediately behind her since winning to advertise her claims for this.
Sheeka Supreme has filled the runners-up spot in each of her two outings to date including when no match for the impressive Seeyouinmydreams at Largy, whilst Lady Corrib was still involved when falling three-out at Ballingarry on her debut and can also play a role in this.
Race 2 – Dennison Commercials 4YO Geldings Maiden
WASPY gained plenty of experience last May running three times during that month culminating in a narrow defeat at Dromahane on the final weekend of the season. That should leave him as the one to beat on his return to action.
Stable mate Painted Wolf is not as experienced having only run the once last season, but he was not beaten too far around a sharp track at Ballyknock, whilst Kap Chidley made good headway on the final circuit at Ballingarry on his sole completed outing to suggest he is not without his chances.
Race 3 – RayMart 5YO Geldings Maiden
HILLS OF GLORY posted three very solid efforts within a three-week period at the end of last season and after the summer break he may not have to step up much from that spring form to open his account in this.
Forcing Bull has returned to Colin McKeever, having run at Punchestown late in the spring for Sean McParlan, and if he could re-capture his Corbeagh House effort he would rank as the main danger.
Race 4 – Dennison JCB Winner of One
MASTER SPLINTER justified market support to win his maiden at Dromahane, overcoming a five-month absence in the process, and his connections look to have found a nice opportunity for him to pick-up where he had left off.
Lowtown Boy and Ihavent A Clue are the two horses in this with previous experience in this grade, and with Lowtown Boy absent for over a year, it may be Ihavent A Clue who is the biggest danger to the selection.
Race 5 – Tattersalls NH 5YO+ Mares Maiden
KALNOO brings some of the most recent form into what would be her debut in this sphere having run on the track during the summer, with a third-place finish in an unplaced maiden hurdle at Kilbeggan in May, the pick of her seven outings to date. That may give her the edge over Chatshow Host who ended last season on a disappointing note in Tralee.
Race 6 – James Kernohan & Sons Ltd 6YO+ Geldings Maiden
VALLEY BREEZE remains a maiden four years after his competitive debut, but he has finished placed over hurdles on the track, and was sent off at the top of the market for his nineth and final outing for the Willie Mullins team at Kilbeggan in August. That leaves him as an interesting prospect on his first start in this sphere.
Gouazec is proven in the pointing fields and ran a number of solid races last season to leave him as a danger, alongside Le Mieux who took a big step forward after changing stables towards the end of last season, whilst Ballymagee was an eye-catcher before falling at Kirkistown last season. He has since finished placed at Catterick and it would not be a surprise to see him get involved.
