Henry de Bromhead sends a strong team to Wexford and may be able to leave with a few winners.
Rachael Blackmore teams up twice with the Knockeen handler and both horses look to have leading chances.
Percy Warner makes his return to action in the beginners’ chase and it’s a winnable opportunity for the Ocovango gelding.
He disappointed on very testing ground when last seen at Navan in March but had some solid form prior to that.
The seven-year-old had been runner-up in handicap company off a mark of 128 on his previous outing and he sets a good standard on that kind of rating.
His experience over jumps looks a big asset and the fact that he won his point-to-point on decent ground suggests that better going now will suit.
The Gordon Elliott-trained Riaan could be a danger on his chase debut.
He was last seen pulling up in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham but had won previously at Thurles when taking a decent novice contest.
The John O’Connell-trained Rexem is another smart hurdler that has to be respected on his chase debut but Percy Warner has the previous form over fences in the book and looks like the one to beat.
A couple of races later, Blackmore takes the mount on Itwasfate in the two-mile handicap chase and he may benefit from a drop in trip.
The Passing Glance gelding hasn’t quite seen out the trip on his two runs in beginners’ chases, over just shy of two-and-a-half miles.
His sole win over timber came at the minimum trip and with a bit of chase experience under his belt he looks well placed to strike now at this distance.
De Bromhead runs three in the preceding handicap chase, over just shy of two-and-a-half miles, and Downtown Queen may prove the pick.
Mike O’Connor gets the leg up on the Presenting mare who is on a nice mark on her first start in handicap company over fences compared to her previous hurdles ratings.
She was running a big race last time, here in June, until making a couple of late mistakes and with chasing experience in the bag now she may be able to run a big race now in this grade.
Downpatrick bumper winner River Tara looks an obvious one in the opening maiden hurdle for Willie Mullins while the champion trainer also introduces Kaya Tara filly Traditude Tara in the finale. It’s hard to oppose his bumper runners at the moment.
SELECTIONS
4.55 River Tara
5.30 Navigator Jack
6.05 Jesina
6.40 Percy Warner (Nap)
7.15 Downtown Queen
7.50 Itwasfate (Dbl)
8.25 Traditude Tara
