11.30 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase 2m 55yd

On open race, with none boasting the profile of last year’s winner, Majborough, or the 2021 victor Blue Lord. Their trainer, Willie Mullins, has four this year, of which Karoline Banbou appeals over Paul Townend’s chosen mount Karamoja at this stage of the season.

Townend’s ride may have placed in a Grade 1 late last season, but she took time to find her stride over hurdles, while Mark Walsh’s ride was a quicker learner. The form of her hurdle win over course and distance worked out well – runner-up Place De La Nation finished fifth in the Triumph Hurdle.

A drop back in trip should suit McLaurey, a smart hurdler over this distance, and a respectable fourth on chase debut over six furlongs further last month. The point-to-point graduate should strip fitter today.

The trip and first-time cheekpieces are hoped to revive Jacob’s Ladder following a disappointing effort here two weeks ago.

SELECTION: KAROLINE BANBOU

Next best: McLaurey

12.02 Join Racing TV Now Rated Novice Chase 2m 5f 55yd

The beginners chase that Brave Fortune won in June may have lacked depth, but his third on chase debut came behind subsequent Grade 2 winners Western Fold and Brave Fortune. The point-to-point graduate since joined Joseph O’Brien and once fit on his seasonal return, looks to have a leading chance here.

Barry Lyndon has the benefit of a run, over course and distance at that. Progressive over hurdles last season, he should come on from his winning chase debut, which has been boosted by the runner-up’s subsequent win.

Talk In The Park is the most experienced of these over fences, despite having yet to win, but his best form is on summer ground.

The Enabler made a promising start to his chasing campaign, when he finished a tiring third against seemingly smart rivals, and is expected to take a step forward today.

SELECTION: BRAVE FORTUNE

Next best: Barry Lyndon

12.32 William Bourke Memorial 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle 2m

With slicker jumping, Ben Hur should be hard to beat, having finished strongly between flights on his hurdle bow against the well-regarded. Today’s soft ground may help the flat recruit’s chances, too, as the ground was heavy at Navan last month.

The fact that last month’s third, Wackestone, had the benefit of a run over hurdles further enhanced Ben Hur’s appeal. Wackestone still remains of interest in a field that lacks much hurdle form, with first-time cheekpieces hoped to bring improvement.

Simple Things ranks higher on the shortlist following her debut third over course and distance last month. The McManus homebred had a strong chance at the penultimate flight but tired on the run-in, finishing third behind more experienced types. The winner went on to finish a respectable third in a Grade 3 next time out.

Kibris’ jumping regressed after a promising start in October, and the form of both his starts over hurdles hasn’t aged well enough to remain loyal to the twice beaten favourite.

SELECTION: BEN HUR

Next best: Simple Things

1.05 Easter Festival Tickets On Sale Now Novice Handicap Hurdle 2m

Softer ground was the reason given for Hillstar Blues’ improved effort last time out, when winning a handicap hurdle at Thurles. He rallied gamely to deny a vastly more experienced rival, the pair finishing clear of the third, and the unexposed four-year-old is open to further progression following his 7lb hike.

Kentucky Beach showed some promise last season, but last month’s narrow defeat in a first-time tonguestrap (retained today) was his best effort to date. It was his first start since April, so it’s hoped that improved fitness will offset the 3lb he received and Tiernan Power Roche’s reduced claim.

Shudawudacuddagh had excuses when well-beaten on his last start in July, but this winner of a weak maiden hurdle still has something to prove. Driveonwill, meanwhile, has failed to justify market support on his last three outings, but a return to the trip his dam won over is hoped to do the trick.

SELECTION: HILLSTAR BLUES

Next best: Kentucky Beach

1.40 Fairyhouse Christmas Party Maiden Hurdle 3m

A number of lightly-raced six-figure buys hint at unrealised potential, not least £250,000 point-to-pointer Porthill. This three-mile test should be more to his liking than the Wexford bumper he finished third in in October, which was a fine effort considering it was his first run in three and a half years.

The now seven-year-old is Paul Townend’s choice over the lightly-raced Drop A Threat, whose rules debut here in January was too bad to be true. Melbourne Shamrock also seeks a change of luck, having been well-backed on his hurdle debut in this race 12 months ago, when he was pulled up and found to be lame

Last month’s return, his first start since then, should set him up nicely for today. A recent run and step up in trip may also bring the necessary improvement from I Am Lorenzo, who has placed behind useful types

Fellow six-figure purchase Bally Free should come on from last month’s hurdle debut but may not be seen to his best until he goes chasing.

SELECTION: PORTHILL

Next best: Melbourne Shamrock

2.15 William Hill Each Way Extra Challenge Series Handicap Hurdle (Div I) 2m 4f 55yd

Three factors suggest that Cowper Hall can get off the mark after placing on four of his last five starts. The form of his most recent run, when fourth at Cork, was boosted when the winner followed up next time, and he has Eoin Staples back aboard, claiming 7lb.

That should bridge the two-length gap between him and Gino Bello that day, and finally, this new trip could be the deciding factor. The trip seems to be with Destivelle’s reach, judging by her close third on heavy ground last time out, when she stayed on well on the run-in

It’s more difficult to find an angle with Teds Corner, a beaten favourite the last twice, but on today’s ground, lightly-raced nine-year-old That’s Me Finished could defy the 8lb hike he received for winning on heavy ground last time out. That was in January, but he runs well fresh.

SELECTION: COWPER HALL

Next best: Destivelle

2.50 William Hill Each Way Extra Challenge Series Handicap Hurdle (Div II) 2m 4f 55yd

Koolio Kate caught the eye on her seasonal return in a maiden hurdle at Limerick last month. Travelling strongly on the turn for home, she lost momentum at the second last and eventually tired, finishing fourth.

That was her best effort to date, on the most testing ground she’s encountered, and if stripping fitter today, should be capable of defying her opening mark of 89.

Similarly-rated mare Another Girl paid the price for racing keenly on heavy ground Gowran last time, when she was pulled up before two out. A close second on her previous start, she should settle better today in a first-time hood. My Good Pal and Mount Shenshan make up the shortlist after their recent seconds.

SELECTION: KOOLIO KATE

Next best: Another Girl

3.25 Irish Stallion Farms EBF 4-Y-O Fillies INH Flat Race 2m

Despite a short-priced favourite being beaten in the last bumper run here, Closutton’s well-bred newcomer Babyburn is the tentative selection. A half-sister to the stable’s multiple Grade 1 winner Ballyburn, the €92,000 store is expected to continue Crystal Ocean’s fine start at stud.

Ash Hobbs also boasts obvious appeal, having bolted up on her sole start between the flags, before selling for £170,000.

Brosna Shine’s form is perhaps more relevant, having run a cracking race on debut, when third in the Goffs Defender Bumper at Punchestown. It suggests that the six-figure store sale buy should run well fresh today.

Derek O’Connor is a notable booking for Claudel, but market support will be more informative for her and all newcomers.

SELECTION: BABYBURN

Next best: Brosna Shine