12.00 ITM Virtual Stallion Trail Hurdle 2m

Youmdor, who created a big impression when easily winning on his Irish debut, can maintain his unbeaten record over hurdles. A smart handicapper on the flat when trained in France, he travelled strongly before quickening up to win nicely at Gowran Park. With the form of that race having already been advertised by those in behind, the Mullins-trained horse looks capable of going on to better.

Teahupoo is perhaps the most intriguing runner amongst the opposition. Winner of his sole start in France, the second horse has gone on to win in Britain for Paul Nicholls, so the form appears strong.

Gordon Elliot has a very strong team of juveniles, so it could be significant that he relies on just the one runner.

SELECTION: YOUMDOR

Next best: Teahupoo

12.30 Follow Fairyhouse “Racing From Home” Mares Maiden Hurdle (Div l) 2m 2f 110yds

Roseys Hollow showed enough promise on her recent return to suggest she can win here. A bumper winner at Cork back in 2019, she was subsequently bought by J.P. McManus and left with trainer Jonathan Sweeney. Off the track for almost a year, Roseys Hollow hinted at retaining all her ability when third in a maiden hurdle last March.

Another absence suggests an underlying problem but despite that the mare again caught the eye on her latest outing. With the benefit of that run to call upon, the daughter of Beat Hollow looks the one to fear.

Global Equity has competed at a much higher level since switching to hurdles, including when picking up blacktype in a Grade 3 at Limerick. However, it is somewhat disappointing that she remains a maiden over flights, so she may again find one too strong.

SELECTION: ROSEYS HOLLOW

Next best: Global Equity

1.05 Follow Fairyhouse “Racing From Home” Mares Maiden Hurdle (Div ll) 2m 2f 110yds

Manitopark AA is worth another chance despite failing to justify odds-on favouritism on her Irish debut. A five-time winner in her native France, the daughter of Walk In The Park weakened quickly at Navan but might find this easier track more to her liking. She is surely capable of much better than we saw first time out and an added bonus sees her drawn in a much weaker second division of this contest.

More Info sets the standard albeit with a handicap mark of just 104. A bumper winner at Clonmel last September, she has been placed three times over hurdles so will almost certainly be on the premises again. Should the Mullins mare again run below expectations, then she is perfectly placed to take advantage.

SELECTION: MANITOPARK AA

Next best: More Info

1.40 Fairyhouse January Jumps Handicap Hurdle 2m 7f

Ballyshannon Rose, who has been a credit to connections all season, might be able to defy the handicapper yet again. A winning run that started at Thurles in November showed no signs of ending when the mare readily won a 3m handicap hurdle at this track last time.

Always travelling easily, she battled on well when challenged in the straight, suggesting she had more in the locker. Life will undoubtedly get harder from now on but there may well be another win or two in the Fahey-trained mare.

Minx Tiara made all to win easily at Limerick over Christmas but may not have things all her own way here. At the same time, it would be a mistake for the other riders to give David O’Brien’s mare too much leeway as she isn’t an easy horse to peg back.

SELECTION: BALLYSHANNON ROSE

Next best: Minx Tiara

2.15 Dan & Joan Moore Memorial Handicap Chase (Grade A) 2m 1f

Chatham Street Lad looks well suited to these race conditions as many of the field are out of the handicap proper and he can avail of his excellent pilot’s 5lb allowance.

An impressive winner at Cheltenham last time, there is no telling how far this horse could progress over the coming months. Possibly even better going right-handed, he has plenty in his favour here so should be good enough to maintain his winning sequence.

Front View remains a horse open to further improvement as he is lightly aged over fences. A decent handicap hurdler who was sent off favourite for the Martin Pipe Hurdle last March, he failed to deliver on that occasion but could do better over fences.

Some of his best form has come at Fairyhouse so off a light weight he looks a live threat.

SELECTION: CHATHAM STREET

LAD

Next best: Front View

2.50 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase 2m 1f

Port Stanley would have a bit to find with a few of these rivals strictly on hurdles form but could be the value in an open affair. Beaten favourite when a close second at this venue last time, he had shown ability on his previous two starts and can put that experience to good use now.

In a race where many of the principals look as though they would prefer further, he can race close to the pace and make his turn of foot count in the latter stages.

Ilikedwayurthinkin ran well when third in a strong race at Wexford last time. Although well beaten in the end, he finished ahead of a subsequent dual winner, so the form can be upgraded. While he may well do better racing over farther in time, this trip shouldn’t be too much of a problem provided he jumps well enough.

SELECTION: PORT STANLEY

Next best: Ilikedwayurthinkin

3.25 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Rated Novice Chase 2m 5f 50yds

King Alex could be a blot here if his recent improvement over fences can be translated to fences. Now rated 125 over flights after three wins and a solid second, he reverts to fences off a mark some 14lb lower.

With only two runs over the bigger obstacles to speak of, there must be every chance that he can show his true worth here and if so, he will take some amount of beating. Trainer Barry Connell has his string in great heart at present and this should be another winner.

Enjoy D’Allen, who was just denied in a similar contest at Cork last time, looks the chief danger. He has has since switched stables and joined the Ciaran Murphy yard so his handler will be eager to hit the ground running with his new charge.

A first-time tongue-tie and Conor Orr’s 3lb claim add to the chances of a first win under rules.

SELECTION: KING ALEX

Next best: Enjoy D’Allen

4.00 Racing Again January 30th (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race 2m

Gerri Colombe makes his first racecourse appearance but won a point-to-point last March. Although the second was well beaten on his British debut recently, the third horse has been placed twice in maiden hurdles, suggesting the form could be solid. Assuming that the Robcour owned five-year-old is ridden close to the pace similar to the day he won, then he could burn these off from the front.

Viscount Gort finished second in a Cork maiden hurdle on his racecourse debut so should be on the premises here. Pat Taaffe is an eye-catching booking for the Gigginstown House Stud-owned runner with his 7lb claim looking good value.

SELECTION: GERRI COLOMBE

Next best: Viscount Gort