14:05 Punchestown

I know there is a big field for this maiden hurdle but I have it between the top pair in the betting and I’m confident LISNAGAR FORTUNE will take a lot of beating. He looked a horse with plenty of potential winning a bumper on debut at this track last year and has progressed well since. He was denied just a head over hurdles at Cork on reappearance and the winner Readin Tommy Wrong won the Grade 1 Lawlor’s Of Naas to give the form a massive boost. He is obviously open to further improvement and looks the one to beat. Jasko Des Dames shaped with encouragement when third to Jigoro at Navan on debut and with improvement to come looks the obvious danger.
 

14:20 Kelso

After catching the eye on hurdles debut DOYEN DU BAR really impressed slamming a subsequent winner by 5 lengths at Ayr last month. He lacked fluency at times but only needed to be shaken up to hit the front and go clear. If he jumps slicker then I’m confident he will follow up against these. Dream Boy made the breakthrough over C&D last month and if building on that again looks the biggest threat. Hard to know what he beat last time but he did do it easily though. Of the rest Point Franklin also won over C&D last time but hasn’t been seen for nearly a year so needs to prove he will be fit and ready to fire. The market will likely be significant to his chance.