At The Races

This looks like a nice opportunity for CIEL DE NIEGE to bounce back to winning ways. The 140-rated performer sets a high standard in this conditions contest and it looks a nice drop in class for him. The J P McManus-owned gelding was well held on his last outing at Listowel but didn't run too badly in the Galway Hurdle previously and is a very capable sort having been second in a big handicap at Punchestown in May. Willie Mullins also saddles Authorized Art but he may be best watched returning from a long absence. I A Connect was a narrow winner of a Listowel maiden hurdle last time and looks to face a much stiffer task now against a horse with Ciel De Niege's rating.

• Top Tip: CIEL DE NEIGE (3)
• Watch out for: I A CONNECT (4)

MULLINS CROSS may be worth a shot back at Sligo despite a moderate enough run last time on a trip to Perth. She weakened tamely enough over in Scotland but had been a convincing winner over course and distance in August and judged on that she doesn't look harshly treated here off a 6lb higher mark. Kate Ill Know ran well to finish third at Galway earlier in the month and off the same mark she has to come into the reckoning here in a moderate enough looking contest. Hophornbeam was well beaten when tried over fences at Fairyhouse last time but has plenty of solid form over timber and it wouldn't be a surprise to see her figure in this off her current mark.

• Top Tip: MULLINS CROSS (4)
• Watch out for: KATE ILL KNOW (5)

DADS LAD ran a solid enough race on his jumping debut at Downpatrick a fortnight ago and looks capable of opening his account here. The Eliot gelding had some smart form early on in bumpers and it was encouraging the way he stepped forward from his first couple of runs this season when runner-up on his hurdling bow to Boothen Boy. Patricks Hill ran on strongly when a close third on his hurdling debut at Roscommon back in July and looks an obvious danger here on his return to action. The form of the bumper that Sadie's Pride won in Tramore back in June has worked out well since and she is another to note on her hurdling debut.

• Top Tip: DADS LAD (5)
• Watch out for: PATRICKS HILL (6)

RIPPON LODGE looks well treated here back over timber having been an improver over fences in recent months. He has slipped to a mark of 89 over hurdles and actually won off 95 over fences at Tramore in August before adding another handicap chase in fine style here in September. The Scorpion gelding is now rated 19lb lower over hurdles so it looks an obvious move to try and make use of that discrepancy. Deo Bellator won at Clonmel last time and looks the obvious danger in the field. She went up 7lb for a convincing five-and-a-half length win just over three weeks ago and probably isn't harshly treated if repeating that showing. Crackaway is an interesting one dropping into this grade on his second outing in handicap company over hurdles. He has been running well enough on the Flat recently.

• Top Tip: RIPPON LODGE (5)
• Watch out for: DEO BELLATOR (3)

JOAN OF PIMLICO ran well on her first handicap start over hurdles and may be able to claim this. The Free Eagle filly was third to easy winner Pretty Little Liar at Fairyhouse when staying on nicely in the closing stages and off the same mark she should be capable of landing a race of this standard. Bitview Colin ran well over fences at Limerick recently and off a similar mark over hurdles he could be a big player in this company. Local trainer Mark McNiff does well around the track and Dreamy Leamy is another that has to come into calculations. He was sent off favourite at Killarney when last seen in July and didn't run too badly then to finish fifth.

• Top Tip: JOAN OF PIMLICO (4)
• Watch out for: BITVIEW COLIN (2)

HUMBLE GLORY stayed on strongly to press De Lady In Red at Roscommon last time and stepping right up in trip to this marathon distance over timber could see her gain a deserved win. The Fame And Glory mare had been an unlucky loser when falling in the lead at Clonmel back in April and the consistent performer would be a deserving winner now. Churchstonewarrior has some strong winter form but the lively enough ground here would be a slight worry. It was heavy when he chased home Ain't That A Shame at Thurles back in February. Midnight It Is is another with solid placed form that has to come into calculations..

• Top Tip: HUMBLE GLORY (2)
• Watch out for: CHURCHSTONEWARRIOR (1)

MINELLA CROONER may be good enough to make a winning start under Rules. The Shantou gelding won his sole start between the flags back in April and was picked up for 70,000 pounds at the sales subsequently. It's interesting that Serenity Grove, who was third when falling at the last in that point-to-point contest run at Cork racecourse, won a maiden hurdle impressively at Downpatrick last month. State Of Honor has placed form in the book and has to be given the utmost respect. She ran a big race when second to another Gordon Elliott-trained runner, Sam's Choice, at Clonmel late last month and Patrick Mullins is an eye-catching booking. Gekkota may take third.

• Top Tip: MINELLA CROONER (5)
• Watch out for: STATE OF HONOR (6)