12.25 BRC MCMAHON REINFORCEMENTS MAIDEN HURDLE 2M4F

Voix Des Tiep, who was just about the best of these in bumpers, ran his best race when runner-up at Punchestown in April.

The form of that race has been well franked with the winner Dunvegan easily scoring over hurdles first time up and the third horse Getareason placing at Grade 2 level recently. Although yet to run over flights, Willie Mullins’s horse is sure to be well schooled and looks the one to beat in this opening contest.

Last Minute Man won his bumper on his racecourse debut before going on to finish second in two maiden hurdles. However, following a disappointing run at Clonmel when last seen, he has that bit more to prove now.

SELECTION: VOIX DES TIEP

Next best: Last Minute Man

1.00 LIMERICK RACECOURSE VETS MARES BEGINNERS CHASE 2M3F

Moyhenna has a bit to find with a couple of these rivals strictly on form over hurdles but appears to be a better chaser. Denis Hogan’s mare made her chasing debut in a Grade 3 contest at Cork earlier this month and emerged with plenty of credit when finishing an excellent second. She is entitled to improve from that outing which makes her very much the one to beat now.

Lackaneen Leader beat the selection in a graded hurdle at this venue last year but was some way behind in that aforementioned Cork race last time. She will need to have made huge progression in a short space of time if she is to overturn that form but it is certainly not out of the question.

SELECTION: MOYHENNA

Next best: Lackaneen Leader

1.35 WATCH SKY SPORTS RACING ON JANUARY 1ST RATED NOVICE CHASE 2M6F

Internal Transfer looks to have been found an ideal opportunity to make a winning debut over regulation fences. Already a winner of a point-to-point, Eric McNamara’s seven-year-old made stylish progress over hurdles last season and looks to have more scope than any of these rivals. His local trainer will have had this rated race in mind for some time and that smart piece of placing can pay dividends.

Castafiore Park also won between the flags, as well as over flights at this racecourse. However, she has been largely disappointing since sent chasing so has questions to answer at this stage. In her defence, this is a far weaker contest than she had raced in previously and her experience gives her an advantage.

SELECTION: INTERNAL TRANSFER

Next best: Castafiore Park

2.10 SKY SPORTS RACING LAUNCHING JANUARY 1ST NOVICE HURDLE (GRADE 2) 3M

Dorrells Pierji can take this feature race to make it three in a row for the Willie Mullins yard. It is a race that the champion trainer seems to target every Christmas and he has been successful with his latest two attempts. A former winning point-to-pointer, this year’s number one entry has the services of Paul Townend which in itself is a clear indication that a big run is expected.

Derrinross was an impressive winner of a Grade 3 hurdle at Cork over this trip last time, so will have no stamina issues. While the small penalty he incurred for that win is no real concern, the fact he often seems at this best first time up slightly tempers confidence on this occasion.

SELECTION: DORRELLS PIERJI

Next best: Derrinross

2.45 RYANS CLEANING EVENT SPECIALISTS HANDICAP HURDLE 2M3F

All About Alfie is in great heart at the present time despite his advancing years. Tom Foley’s runner was an easy winner at Naas earlier this month and can make it back-to-back wins in this low grade handicap. The 10-year-old would have won even easier at the Kildare track but for ploughing throw the final flight so he is most likely still ahead of the handicapper.

The Ballyboys reserves his best for this track at Christmas and was in the process of running another big race when running out at the last here on Wednesday. It wasn’t the first time he has shown such wayward tendencies so he comes with a slight health warning. At the same time, if he decided to put everything in then he is the one they would all have to beat.

SELECTION: ALL ABOUT ALFIE

Next best: The Ballyboys

3.20 IWP HOME IMPROVEMENT CENTRE HANDICAP HURDLE 2M4F

Offshore Oscar is a lightly-raced young horse who can give local racegoers something to cheer about. A winner at Killarney earlier in the year, he emerged with plenty of credit when chasing home a well-handicapped rivals at this venue on his penultimate start. Last time, there was no disgrace in staying-on for third in a better race at Cheltenham.

Rolanna takes a big drop in class here having been placed in a listed hurdle on her latest start. Prior to that she ran really well when fifth in a Grade B handicap hurdle at Gowran Park. The concession of weight to an improving young hurdler is a big ask now but she looks the biggest threat to the McNamara runner.

SELECTION: OFFSHORE OSCAR

Next best: Rolanna

3.50 IRISH FIELD INH FLAT RACE 2M2F

Castle North has a bit to prove having disappointed at Punchestown on his final start last season. However, coming from these quarters he is certain to be well placed and this doesn’t look the strongest of races for the grade. A reproduction of his penultimate effort at Fairyhouse will almost certainly suffice here.

Active Force is a winning point-to-pointer who has been placed in two bumpers, the latest effort a third place finish to the impressive Battleoverdoyen at Punchestown. While he doesn’t appear to be progressing as expected, he faces a weak field now and on paper at least it appears a match between the horses from the two leading stables in this discipline.

SELECTION: CASTLE NORTH

Next best: Active Force