Irish eyes on Worcester Exeter's quick ground today keeps top prospects that traditionally start off the campaign away from the Haldon Hill venue so Worcester looks more interesting cross-channel this afternoon with Stephen Cox sending across Bradys Cottage for the bumper. This fellow has three runs under his belt to date but he'll have to step-up now on what he's shown, under Paddy Brennan. Run over two miles, this Ladbrokes Intermediate Open National Hunt Flat Race could be an informative affair and one that catches the eye is Castletown Bridge. Charlie Longsdon has described this chestnut as a big backward horse – a typical Irish pointer. He is expected to improve a lot. Highflyer Bloodstock bought Castletown Bridge at Cheltenham May Sale for £24,000 and he is described as a tall four-year-old with plenty of Flat speed in the female side of his family. Athlone native Kielan Woods will claim a valuable 7Ibs off Castletown Bridge, placed in two 'points' here for Andy Slattery. There was plenty of merit in both those efforts and he should be right in the mix today. Another ex-Irish 'pointer' Truckers Benefit, often-placed but still a maiden under all codes, can go well in the opening Ladbrokes Novices' Hurdle under Richard Johnson. Three miles here should be right up his alley. Half-an-hour later Joanna Morgan's Kilbeggan bumper winner Brough Academy begins for Lawney Hill in the E B F "National Hunt" Novices’ Hurdle and Aiden Coleman's mount is worth watching in the market. Captain Dash, the horse off which Derek O'Connor received his dreadful Galway Festival fall, has his initial outing for Tim Vaughan in the Ladbrokes Conditional Jockeys' Handicap Chase. Michael Byrne takes the ride on the former Liam Burke-trained Anshan gelding in this two miler. Meanwhile Offaly trainer Stephen Cox, mentioned earlier, also sends Pagan Steps over for the concluding race at Wolverhampton, the Chris O'Keeffe Memorial Handicap (Division 2). Cathy Gannon will ride this one.
