Skellig Rocks can improve for a step up in Gowran Park

On a high-class card at Gowran Park this afternoon Sempre Medici looks to have the Red Mills Trial Hurdle at his mercy, and will be priced accordingly, while Smashing may be able to continue his fine run of form by taking a tight-looking renewal of the Red Mills Chase.

At a much lower grade, the nap goes to Skellig Rocks in the Live Music After Racing Handicap Hurdle. The Arthur Moore-trained five-year-old made his handicap debut at Down Royal last time and produced an improved performance to finish second behind easy winner Angus Milan.

Although not entirely fluent, he jumped reasonably well and stayed on nicely to finish second. The step up to two and a half miles should prompt further improvement and the presence of Page Turner should ensure a decent gallop, off which he should settle well before being delivered with a late challenge.

With a featherweight to carry and ample scope for improvement, he can prove too strong for Page Turner.

On tomorrow afternoon’s card at Navan, which gets underway at 2pm, a chance can be taken on Automated building on the promise of his hurdling debut when he lines up for the opening maiden hurdle.

It took 18 tries for him to break his duck on the flat, but Ger Lyons managed to find the key on his fourth start for the Meath stable. Switched to Gordon Elliott for a jumps campaign, he ran an eye-catching race to finish third behind Au Quart De Tour, in desperately testing conditions at Gowran Park on Thyestes day.

While the best of his flat form came on quick ground, there was distinct promise in that hurdling effort and further improvement should be forthcoming. Alamein, who finished a place in front of him then, re-opposes, but the selection can improve past him.

Thirsty Work would be interesting if the market spoke in his favour.