REST OF THE CARD

12.45 VALUE CABS 3-Y-O HURDLE 2M

Espoir D’Allen is put forward to follow up last month’s successful Irish debut at Punchestown. The French import possibly took a little time to warm to his task there but he was an ultimately dominant and unextended winner over Masterstonemason and Minnie Dahill, both of whom had previously won over timber.

There should be more to come from this son of Voix Du Nord and he is preferred to Apparition. The latter is a useful sort on the flat and he progressed from his third to Masterstonemason in a Gowran juvenile hurdle to win at Thurles last month where he edged out a useful type in Mitchouka. Apparition can do better still as a jumper and should give his aforementioned rival plenty to do.

Selection: ESPOIR D’ALLEN

Next best: Apparition

1.20 TAYTO GROUP MAIDEN HURDLE 2M

He showed good progress from his initial run over hurdles only to lose out narrowly to a capable sort at Thurles last time and Dis Donc can now get off the mark over hurdles. He showed substantial progress from his hurdling debut when losing out by just a neck to Venegeful at Thurles, where he travelled notably well, and that showing would indicate that he will have no trouble making his mark over hurdles.

Dis Donc’s jumping experience could give him a crucial edge over Tower Bridge who was an impressive winner of bumpers at Ballinrobe and Bellewstown during the summer. Take Ten, who began his career with a very encouraging run at Gowran, and the hurdling newcomer Falak are others worth keeping an eye on.

Selection: DIS DONC

Next best: Tower Bridge

1.55 BILLECART-SALMON HANDICAP HURDLE (0-150) (GRADE B) 2M

Golden Spear hasn’t won over hurdles for two years but he remains more than good enough of landing a decent prize over timber. A dual premier handicap winner on the flat, he should have won at Galway on his penultimate start when second to Top Othe Ra and he is certainly better than he showed at Killarney last time.

His third to Ice Cold Soul in last season’s Coral Hurdle at Leopardstown is among his other eye catching efforts and he remains well-handicapped on his comfortable defeat of Tigris River in the 2015 Lartigue Hurdle at Listowel.

Veinard showed up well in a number of quality handicaps last season and efforts such as his 3l second to Thomas Hobson at Fairyhouse last Easter would indicate that he will be able to play a major role. The unexposed Cross My Mind is one to note off a light weight.

Selection: GOLDEN SPEAR

Next best: Veinard

3.05 MYCARNEEDSA.COM CHASE (GRADE 2) 2M 4f

This is an excellent opportunity for Disko to make a successful return to the fray. This gelding developed into a cracking novice chaser last term when his two Grade 1 triumphs included a 1¾l victory over Our Duke in a 2m5f event at Leopardstown in February.

Last season’s form sets him apart from these rivals and he should get his campaign off to the perfect start.

A Toi Phil is a very classy sort at his best as he showed when defeating the Galway Plate winner Balko Des Flos by 6½l at Gowran last month. That calibre of form and the benefit of a recent outing makes him a credible threat to the selection. Balko Des Flos is probably better than he got to show at Gowran and isn’t one to underestimate.

Selection: DISKO

Next best: A Toi Phil

3.40 RAINBOW COMMUNICATIONS HANDICAP CHASE 3M

Poormans Hill is taken to bring up a four-timer. Two wins in five days over fences in September have earned him an 18lb hike in the weights but he might yet be able to keep pace with his rise up the handicap. He showed that he remains in good heart with a handicap hurdle success at Downpatrick last month and in each of those victories he has been at his strongest at the finish so the step up to 3m will suit him well.

William Du Berlais has been holding his form well since being placed over an extended 3m at Wexford in the summer. He has gone up a stone in the ratings over the last few months but remains in good form and comes here off a respectable third to A Sizing Network at Punchestown. He looks an obvious threat.

Selection: POORMANS HILL

Next best: William Du Berlais

4.10 DAILY MIRROR (PRO/AM) INH FLAT RACE 2M

On his racecourse debut, Rapid Escape had to settle for fifth in the Goffs Land Rover Bumper last April. He was a leading fancy for that race following an impressive Tinahely point-to-point success in February and he ran creditably without being able to land a telling blow.

He can surely improve on that fifth to Vision Des Flos at Punchestown, where he was beaten less than 4l, and he is chosen ahead of First Approach.

The latter has the benefit of a recent run to aid his cause and that came at Galway last month where he went down by ½l to The Gunner Murphy. On that showing, he shouldn’t have any trouble making his mark in a bumper.

Selection: RAPID ESCAPE

Next best: First Approach