16:15 Killarney Avenue Hotel Beginners Chase

Race preview

CAPTAIN CONBY didn't quite live up to expectations over hurdles but still showed a high level of ability and can make a winning start over fences. A dual winner at Punchestown, Dusty Sheehy's charge ran creditably in competitive handicaps at that venue last term and went well for a long way when sixth in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham. Keith Donoghue is an ideal jockey to guide him around over the larger obstacles. Henry de Bromhead starts off Flat-breds Annexation and Great Bear over fences and both merit respect. The former was the higher-rated of the pair over hurdles and was second to an in-form rival at Downpatrick recently, while Great Bear, a winner on the Flat at this venue, landed a maiden at Cork on his penultimate start. Walnut Beach, narrowly beaten on his second chase start at Tipperary last month, ran as well as could be expected when third to Sharjah at Galway and his experience will be an asset.