Timeform Irish SmartPlays: Thursday January 19

Battleford - 13:10 Thurles

Battleford was second in both the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival and the Grade 2 bumper at Aintree's Grand National meeting last season, and though there was still plenty to work on in the jumping department when he got off the mark at Leopardstown last time, he should be up to landing a double here with the step up in trip likely to suit. Storyteller is likely to be a main threat to the selection, along with Some Neck.

Sub Lieutenant - 14:15 Thurles

Sub Lieutenant has not had long with Henry de Bromhead and produced a career-best effort on just his third start for the yard in the Grade 1 John Durkan at Punchestown last time behind Djakadam and Outlander (who went on to win the Lexus Chase on his next start). He sets the standard in this Grade 3 contest on that effort, and is expected to return to winning ways down in grade. Last season's JLT winner Black Hercules heads the dangers.

On His Own - 16:00 Thurles

An interesting hunter chase with some old faces clashing, including dual Cheltenham Festival winner Salsify and Aintree Bowl winner First Lieutenant. It could boil down to a match between Foxrock and On His Own, however, and Willie Mullins' twelve-year-old gets the narrow vote. On His Own hasn't been the most consistent sort, but he is a smart horse on his day (second in a Grade 2 last season) and is worth chancing against the shorter-priced Foxrock.

Timeform Irish SmartPlays:
(All from Thurles)

Win back Battleford in the 13:10
Win back Sub Lieutenant in the 14:15
Win back On His Own in the 16:00