THE Irish invasion on Cheltenham will take place at next month’s all-important National Hunt Festival meeting, and at Kempton tomorrow, there could well be a taste of what’s to come in the feature race on the card.

Irish trainer Cecil Ross sends Six Of Hearts across the pond to contest the £40,000 betdaq.co.uk Stakes and this talented gelding is expected to prove the ace in the pack.

A five-times winner, Six Of Hearts tended to be confined to sprint distances for much of last season, and di well, but he proved he stayed further on his final two starts at Dundalk’s all-weather track on his final two appearances over a mile and seven furlongs, finishing second and following-up with a deserved victory.

Top Irish jockey Fran Berry, who will be taking over the number one slot from the retired Mick Kinane as John Oxx’s number one pilot this year, has the mount on Six Of Hearts in this Listed event. A bold bid is anticipated.

Middleham trainer Mark Johnston can lift the Betdaq Maiden Stakes with Jan Mayen, the mount of Joe Fanning.

Narrowly beaten on his debut on this course, Jan Mayen disappointed when favourite next time out at Wolverhampton. He needs to be forgiven that below-par run, but, back on this course, he deserves the chance to atone.

Derek Shaw has Steel City Boy in good form and the first division of the Bet Multiples – Betdaq Handicap may be a good opportunity for him to strike.

The gelding was a winner at Lingfield last time out, beating Handsome Cross by a neck. He is taken to double up.

Ejeed has alread doubled up. Two wins on this course is his record since the turn of the year and Zoe Davison’s five-year-old has good hat-trick prospects in the Bet In-Running Betdaq Handicap.

Ejeed has been upped 6lb in the handicap since his convincing latest victory and, with Ross Atkinson again taking the mount, he is napped to oblige once more.

The promising Coolree Star (2.05) and Star Choice (4.20), who looks overdue a winning turn, are also worth noting at Kempton.

Over the sticks at Exeter, which is an all-hurdles card, the Valentine Novices’ Hurdle, a Listed event, takes pride of place.

Gifted Leader had to play second fiddle to Johnny Mullen at Wincanton last time out, but he meets his conqueror on more favourable terms tomorrow and is selected to turn the tables for in-form trainer Ian Williams.

Also worthy of respect at Exeter are recent winner Sir Kezbaah (2.30) and the promising Rock Celtic (4.40).

Racing selections

Kempton 2.05 Coolree Star, 2.40 Jan Mayen, 3.10 Ejeed (NAP), 3.45 Six Of Hearts, 4.20 Star Choice, 4.50 Steel City Boy, 5.20 The Geester.

Exeter 2.30 Sir Kezbaah, 3.00 Gifted Leader, 3.35 Sonny Mullen, 4.10 Aldertune, 4.40 Rock Celtic, 5.10 Double Pride.

Tomorrow’s other meeting: Hereford.

Today’s meetings: Lingfield, Ayr, Newbury, Warwick, Wolverhampton.