The Irish Angle: Johnny Ward's four best bets

Sligo's all-chase card is testament to the standard of horse on the go at the moment and the track's popularity.Such talented animals as Sixandahalf, Bowensonfire, Hello Neighbour and Putapoundinthejar are involved – in one of the first two races alone.We have an optional claimer at Bellewstown, a type of race that frustrates me and only half of the field can be claimed.

Officials will be relieved to be racing again after ground issues at their big Festival meeting.

A course-and-distance winner when making all in 2023. Zoe McMullan gets on well with him, he is drawn low and worth chancing - despite blowing out at Gowran last time - with the ground in his favour.

Has been in the money on every visit here and the ground has come right. He makes plenty of each-way appeal from a favoured high draw.

This nine-year-old landed a gamble at Killarney and Sam Curling admitted afterwards that he was very confident. Given his hurdles form, this should be within his grasp too.

Veteran trainer Val O'Brien has been in the wars and was unable to watch Swing Time's Ballinrobe romp; instead he observed in his car near the final fence, and it must have been a glorious sight.

Swing Time was having ponly his second chase start when demolishing a big field and there must be every chance he is still thrown-in. He won by 20 lengths, and he would not have been flattered as he was up with a decent pace throughout.