12:35 JOHN JOE FINNEGAN MEMORIAL HANDICAP HURDLE 2M 6F

Lake Takapuna looked a revitalised horse when winning a handicap chase at Sligo in September and he returns to hurdles off a mark 19lb lower than his current chase rating. The seven-year-old had always been a promising horse for Jim Culloty and while he never really delivered, he looks well handicapped here for Robbie McNamara.

There is a plethora of dangers in this 24-runner handicap hurdle, the pick of which look to be Stacks Mountain and Nerual, who both have the scope to improve. The former gets the second vote after a good run behind the useful Brex Drago at Clonmel last time.

SELECTION: LAKE TAKAPUNA

Next best Stacks Mountain

1:05 FOR AUCTION NOVICE HURDLE (GRADE 3) 2M

Quick Grabim brings in the best form courtesy of his comfortable Grade 3 win at Tipperary but because of that effort, he has to carry a 7lb penalty, which looks a tall order considering five of his rivals are coming into this off a win. Felix Desjy, a classy bumper horse from last season who got his hurdles career off to a perfect start at Galway, looks the pick of the lot.

He’ll prove tough to beat but at a huge price, it might just be worth taking a chance on Colin Bowe’s mare Western Victory. She surprised by proving too good for Getaway Katie Mai and Diamond Hill, the former was one of the best in a crop of bumper mares who looked to be a cut above the geldings last year. Western Victory gets all her weight allowances here and it wouldn’t surprise at all if she put up a big run.

SELECTION: WESTERN VICTORY

Next best Felix Desjy

1:35 LISMULLEN HURDLE (GRADE 2) 2M 4F

Apple’s Jade is undoubtedly the one to beat but if you’re going to beat her, you’ve a much better chance of doing so when taking her on after a break. She has been turned over at odds of 1/2, 2/5 and 1/2 when coming off a break of 75 days or more in the last two seasons and even in this race last season she was all out to fend off the inferior Jer’s Girl. It might be that she comes on for the run and in any case, she has a few questions to answer after her previous two runs.

If you’re taking her on, Identity Thief is the most obvious alternative. He came back to life when bolting up on his first start at three miles at Aintree and before that run, he finished a highly respectable fourth in the Champion Hurdle. He has won off a break before and could put it up to Apple’s Jade.

SELECTION: IDENTITY THIEF

Next best Apple’s Jade

2:10 THE TOTE.COM FORTRIA CHASE (GRADE 2) 2M

Interestingly Ballyoisin and Doctor Phoenix faced off against each other around this time last year as well, when each making their seasonal debut in a Grade B handicap chase at Cork. On that occasion the McManus runner came out on top despite conceding 6lbs to Doctor Phoenix. Today Ballyoisin competes with Gordon Elliott’s gelding off level weights and has the advantage of race fitness. He has also won his last three so arrives here in top form. He rates a solid proposition.

Elsewhere Ordinary World could do better back at this trip while Listen Dear and Rock The World will have to improve on their recent form to have a say.

SELECTION: BALLYOISIN

Next best Doctor Phoenix

2:40 IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF BEGINNERS CHASE 2M 1F

The last two renewals of this have gone to Footpad and Anibale Fly and the potential is there in this year’s renewal to throw up another good horse. The luckless Campeador has been given a chance to race over fences. He is a 150-rated hurdler so warrants respect but may be best watched at this stage, taking into account his jumping record.

Jetz ran to a good level as a novice hurdler last year, running second to Tower Bridge in a Grade 1 hurdle and putting up another good run when runner-up to Pallasator in a Grade 2. He comes down in trip for his chase debut but may be good enough to overcome that. The others to note are Duca De Thaix who has some good experience while it might be significant that Dolciano Dici has been put forward by Willie Mullins for this contest.

SELECTION: JETZ

Next best Dolciano Dici

3:15 THE HOTEL PARK ST JOHANN HANDICAP HURDLE 2M

Wonder Laish looks the one to be on here. The Charles Byrnes-trained gelding bounced back with an excellent third in the Irish Cesarewitch at this track on his previous start. He is up to a mark of 95 on the flat and looks well handicapped off 119 over hurdles.

Garvan Donnelly’s Misty Millie could continue her recent progression after a good second to subsequent winner Bay Hill at Listowel. The five-year-old mare has won twice and finished second once on her last five runs.

SELECTION: WONDER LAISH

Next best: Misty Millie

3:45 KEVIN BELL TRUST INH FLAT RACE 2M

Getaway North warrants obvious consideration making his debut here for Willie and Patrick Mullins however this looks all about Column Of Fire, Gordon Elliott’s Land Rover Bumper runner-up. He was no match for stablemate Commander Of Fleet in that contest but it was still a fine debut effort and he should prove too much for his rivals.

SELECTION: COLUMN OF FIRE

Next best Getaway North