Ryan McElligott

1.45 WINTER FESTIVAL DECEMBER 2&3RD BEGINNERS CHASE 2M

Tombstone can make a winning start over fences. He didn’t end last season in the best of form but he is a high class sort as evidenced by a Grade 2 win over Jezki last February, a fourth in the 2016 Supreme Novices Hurdle and several Grade 1 placings. He should make up into a very smart chaser.

He will have most to fear from Bamako Moriviere whose last fence fall at Listowel cost him a certain victory. His two previous efforts would suggest that he is more than capable of making his mark at this level.

Selection: TOMBSTONE

Next best: Bamako Moriviere

2.15 BOOK YOUR CHRISTMAS PARTY AT FAIRYHOUSE DECEMBER 16TH MARES BEGINNERS CHASE 2M 5F

This is a good opportunity for Shattered Love to make a successful chasing debut. She progressed into a quality novice hurdler last season when she won at listed and Grade 3 level. She didn’t end the season in the best of form but she is a quality mare who should have a fine future as a chaser.

She can overcome the lack of a recent run by seeing off Conduct Yourself who was an early casualty on her chasing bow. Conduct Yourself is another capable hurdler and her penultimate run, which came off a mark of 125, saw her chase home Dawn Raider in a 2m 6f handicap hurdle at Killarney in July.

Selection: SHATTERED LOVE

Next best: Conduct Yourself

2.50 ADARE MANOR OPPORTUNITY HANDICAP CHASE (0-109) 2M 5F

Caniwillyegiveme would be a deserving winner following a succession of decent efforts in defeat. Last time out he was only just denied by Off The Charts at Ballinrobe and prior to that he showed up well to take third in a Tramore handicap won by Sir Jack Yeats which looked a stronger race than the one he contests today.

His biggest threat could come from Fenlon’s Hill who comes here off a 2m 2f handicap chase success at Galway for which he is just 4lbs higher.

Selection: CANIWILLYEGIVEME

Next best: Fenlon’s Hill

3.25 JUMP RACING RETURNS TO FAIRYHOUSE MAIDEN HURDLE 2M

The eagerly awaited jumping debut of Fayonagh can see Gordon Elliott’s star mare get her campaign off to the ideal start. Last season the daughter of Kalanisi progressed into the standout bumper horse in Ireland and Britain with her camapign highlighted by a stunning last to first charge in the Cheltenham bumper.

She signed off for the season with a fine win in a Punchestown Grade 1 and she is impossible to oppose despite lacking a recent outing.

Roseriver Has produced a gritty effort to overcome Stooshie in a Downpatrick bumper last month and may give the selection most to do.

Selection: FAYONAGH

Next best: Roseriver Has

4.00 SPECIAL OFFERS AT WWW. FAIRYHOUSE.IE HANDICAP HURDLE (80-95) (DIVISION 1) 2M 4F

Artic Pearl will have to improve on his comeback at Listowel last month. However, that was his first outing since April so he is entitled to come on from that run and he did show up well over this course and distance late last season when finishing sixth in a handicap hurdle won by Aa Bee See. He shaped better than the final result that day and showed enough to indicate that he could make his mark at this level.

Bronco Bill is another who needs to bounce back from an unplaced Listowel run but his previous placed runs at Down Royal and Sligo give him a major chance.

Selection: ARTIC PEARL

Next best: Bronco Bill

4.35 SPECIAL OFFERS AT WWW. FAIRYHOUSE.IE HANDICAP HURDLE (80-95) (DIVISION 2) 2M 4F

As she switches back to hurdling Our Rachael can bring up a hat-trick. This five-year-old last ran over hurdles a year ago when she was placed at Downpatrick and that run alone would give her a chance. In addition, she has been in excellent form on the flat lately and comes here off victories in handicaps at the Curragh and Down Royal.

She is preferred to Tough But Honest who is looking to build on a very creditable showing at Listowel where he finished a 2¼l second to Granny Biddy.

Selection: OUR RACHAEL

Next best: Tough But Honest

5.10 EASTER FESTIVAL 2018 HANDICAP HURDLE (80-109) 2M

Creeping Ivy could make it a double for Tony Martin. This dual flat winner is open to more improvement than most of her rivals as she has run just five times over hurdles. Four of those outings came in maidens but there was plenty of encouragement to be taken from her recent handicap hurdle debut at Navan where she finished third to Kilkeaskins First.

She is entitled to improve for that initial handicap experience and she is preferred to Russian Roulette who was just behind her in fourth at Navan.

Selection: CREEPING IVY

Next best: Russian Roulette

5.40 IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF MARES FLAT RACE 2M

She hasn’t run since April but Biddy The Boss showed plenty of promise on her debut at Tramore in the spring when she chased home the useful Classic Theatre. She was beaten just 1½l on that occasion and the winner has since franked the form by winning over hurdles. The initial effort would suggest that she is capable of winning a mares bumper.

Moonlight Escape showed up well on her debut to take third in a Navan bumper two weeks ago and should be able to get involved.

Selection: BIDDY THE BOSS

Next best: Moonlight Escape