Flood to take opener

From the likes of Montjeu and Bachir to the first Kilbeggan fixture of the year

From the likes of Montjeu and Bachir to the first Kilbeggan fixture of the year. That's the jump for racegoers this evening but as summer jumping goes, this isn't too bad at all.

For one thing there are a couple of £12,000 races up for grabs and even better there might even be a couple of worthwhile bets on show.

In the opening hurdle, The Purty Boy reverts to maiden company, which judged on a run behind Moscow Retreat at Fairyhouse can be a winning move. Francis Flood's seven-year-old was less than nine lengths behind a better fancied stablemate, Dawn's Double, on that occasion.

The other maiden hurdle, this one over three miles, features Ruby Walsh on Carmelite, and considering this horse beat The Mighty Sparrow and Hat Or Halo in a Listowel festival bumper last September, Carmelite should be hard to beat.

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Finnegans Hollow's presence in the Belvedere Handicap Hurdle allows Aerleon Pete and Charlie Swan to run off 9-13, and although a very frustrating horse in the past, maybe Aerleon Pete is worth another chance.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column