12:13 Saturday

Thought to be Paul Nolan’s best novice hurdling prospect for the season ahead, Jhentong Enki travelled powerfully on his hurdling debut but found little for pressure. 

However, it emerged that he had mucus in his system so you can forgive his tame finishing effort, and the fact that he’s been entered in the Grade 1 Future Champions Novice Hurdle over the Christmas period highlights the regard in which he is held.

Predators Gold will likely take up a large chunk of the market given his powerful connections, but Jhentong Enki has significant potential in his own right and can take a significant step forward from his first run under rules.

13:23 Saturday

A race I’m really looking forward to and, in truth, you could make a convincing case for all seven runners.

But preference is for Affordale Fury, who overcame an early mistake on chasing debut to beat the reopposing Favori De Champdou at Galway. 

His jumping improved throughout the race and he won a shade cosier than the winning margin would suggest, while also looking as if he would improve for his first run of the season. 

Second in the Albert Bartlett (fractionally ahead of Sandor Clegane), he ran well behind Gaelic Warrior at Punchestown in April and he seems to like undulating, right-handed tracks. 

This is Flooring Porter’s first run going right-handed since the 2021 Punchestown Festival, where he pulled-up having won the Stayers’ Hurdle on his previous start. He is more tractable these days but it is still a concern, as is the soft-heavy ground.

13:58 Saturday

A competitive handicap, but preference is for Adamantly Chosen (NAP) who had a productive novice chase campaign for all that his form tailed off towards the end of the season. 

Second to Gerri Colombe and the ill-fated Mighty Potter in Grade 1 company, his second chase start came at Punchestown where he beat the now 150-rated Visionarian (getting seven-pounds) in good style. 

 

Danny Mullins is back on board for the first time since that day, and I hope he will resort back to front-running tactics which appeared to suit this horse having been held-up in more recent starts.

Willie Mullins is profitable to back in handicap chases at Punchestown, as are those who run off top-weight in handicaps over fences; since 2020, his strike-rate with top-weights is 17%, with recent examples including Kilcruit and Dinoblue.