Key Connections to watch in Ireland this weekend - 'Interesting Flat recruit Saratoga runs in the opener'

We’ve got a couple of fascinating meetings to look forward to in Ireland this weekend, as several runners across Saturday and Sunday will be having prep runs for next month’s Cheltenham Festival.

Naas’ Saturday card features the Listed Opera Hat Mares’ Chase and Dinoblue is among the declarations, a race which she won last year en route to winning at Cheltenham. Navan’s card features a couple of Grade 2 races, including the Boyne Hurdle.

Finding winners is never an easy task so we’ve given you a head start by picking out some owners, trainers and jockeys to keep an eye on this weekend.

Owners to watch: Robcour and Gigginstown

Quality is often better than quantity and the familiar Robcour silks will be represented by the promising Highland Crystal at Naas on Saturday, while Grade 1-winning hurdler Hiddenvalley Lake is a potential participant in the Boyne Hurdle on Sunday.

It’s rare to see a National Hunt meeting in Ireland without JP McManus having some serious chances and his most likely winner on Saturday is Dinoblue in the feature race. Interesting Flat recruit Saratoga runs in the opener, while he has several intriguing entries at Navan.

It could be another good weekend for the Gigginstown team, as Jalon D’oudairies lines up in a maiden hurdle at Naas. Debutant Todo Bien runs in the bumper on Saturday and Gold Dancer would be of interest if lining up in the Ten Up Novice Chase on Sunday.

Hunters Yarn runs in the hunter chase at Naas for Isaac Souede and Simon Munir and they also have a couple of entries in Navan’s opener.

Michael Kenneally is really making a name for himself and he has already had five winners this week. His strike-rate is 37 per cent in the last fortnight and academy hurdle winner

Enda McElhinney

Trainers: The championship battle heats up

A shout-out for Donnacha O’Brien whose only runner over jumps so far is the four-year-old Kilmeaden who kept on well to get the better of a Willie Mullins-trained odds-on shot in a maiden hurdle at Punchestown last month, and he’s a contender at Naas.

The trainers’ championship battle is hotting up at the moment and the once-large gap between Mullins and Elliott is now much smaller. Clearly Ireland’s top two trainers will be keen to keep the winners coming and both have excellent opportunities at the weekend.

Dinoblue, Poetisa and several potential leading candidates at Navan on Sunday offer plenty of chances for Mullins, while the likes of Honesty Policy in the Boyne Hurdle and Oldschool Outlaw look like serious contenders for Elliott.

Jockeys: Kenneally the man in form

Paul Townend hasn’t been booked to take any rides at Naas on Saturday and we’ll soon learn if will be at Navan on Sunday. Mark Walsh gets the plum ride on Dinoblue at Naas, while Danny Mullins will be aboard Poetisa, benefitting from Townend’s absence.

Conditional jockey Michael Kenneally is really making a name for himself and he has already had five winners this week. His strike-rate is 37 per cent in the last fortnight and academy hurdle winner It’s Bobsled Time is his only ride of the day at Naas.

Jack Kennedy has surged clear of long-time championship leader Darragh O’Keeffe in the last week or so and is now five winners ahead. There will be loads more winners to come and it’ll be a surprise if he fails to add to his tally this weekend.