Timeform Irish SmartPlays: Jezki to go close on hurdling debut.

Jessica Harrington's Jezki lines up the opener at Naas

The Timeform Irish team select three horses from today's cracking cards at Naas and Galway...

The Jessica Harrington-trained Jezki makes his hurdling debut at Naas in the 12:55 and is fancied to get us off to a flyer this afternoon. Jezki landed his first two starts in bumpers and produced a smart performance to defy a penalty at Leopardstown in March. He found little when finishing down the field behind Champagne Fever in the Champion Bumper at Cheltenham when last seen under National Hunt rules, but comes here after an encouraging spin on the Flat and he looks the one to beat in an ordinary event.

Sam Da Vinci also makes his hurdling debut in the opening maiden at Galway (13:35) this afternoon. Anthony Mullins' gelding was placed on all three starts in bumpers and shaped well when chasing home the well-regarded Teelin Star on his reappearance at Listowel last month, in turn finishing clear of subsequent chase winner Klepht and he should prove hard to beat if reproducing that form at the first time of asking over timber.

Mount Benbulben is a horse that should need little introduction to those who pay attention to Gordon Elliot's column. A winning pointer, Mount Benbulben showed smart form over hurdles last term, landing a Grade 2 novice at Navan and finding only Boston Bob too good in a Grade 1 at the same course. He disappointed at the Cheltenham Festival when last seen, but he has long looked the type to do well over fences and, though this looks like a warm event, he holds leading claims.

Timeform Irish SmartPlays:

Back Jezki in the 12:55 at Naas
Back Sam Da Vinci in the 13:35 Galway
Back Mount Benbulben in the 14:25 Naas

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