John O’Riordan

1.05 BOOK YOUR EASTER FESTIVAL TICKETS TODAY BEGINNERS CHASE 2M 5F

Kemboy made a very pleasing chasing debut over this course and distance recently, only giving best to an odds-on favourite on the run-in. He should have learned plenty from that experience and will take all the beating now. A 142-rated hurdler last season, he has the ability to develop into an even better horse over fences in the coming months.

Cap D’Aubois, a stablemate of the selection, ran a huge race on his first run over the larger obstacles at Tipperary but disappointed at this venue on his last start.

It might be that he prefers a more galloping track although he may also just have had an off day. On his best form he is entitled to go very close.

Selection: KEMBOY

Next best: Cap D’Aubois

1.35 FAIRYHOUSE RACECOURSE MEMBERS HANDICAP CHASE 2M 1F

Ontopoftheworld has yet to recapture the form he showed almost a year ago but recent signs have been more positive. Arthur Moore’s charge travelled well for a long ways at Naas last time before fading on the run-in. He has dropped down to his previous winning mark and cheekpieces are applied for the first time.

Fairly Legal could be a dangerous horse now on his first start in handicap company. A 129-rated hurdler at his best, he has been given a mark 20lbs lower over fences so will almost certainly exploit that at some point. His lack of chasing experience is a slight concern but if he is strong in the market he commands maximum respect.

Selection: ONTOPOFTHE-WORLD

Next best: Fairly Legal

2.10 BOBBYJO BISTRO GREAT FOOD GREAT DEALS HANDICAP CHASE 3M 1F

Pack Your Bags has been largely disappointing to date but is afforded another chance here in first time blinkers. The J.P. McManus-owned eight-year-old has finished second on his last two starts but has been getting closer with every run. A test of stamina on heavy ground should bring out the best in this tough sort who will grind it out to the line.

Rightback Atya was an effortless winner at Navan last time and has been hit with a 12lb hike as a result. However, he is still someway below his highest hurdles rating so remains competitive at present.

Selection: PACK YOUR BAGS

Next best: Rightback Atya

2.45 SOLERINA MARES NOVICE HURDLE (GRADE 3) 2M 2F

Laurina might be good enough to maintain the Mullins hold on these mares’ races. A well-regarded sort in her native France, she made a winning Irish debut when bolting up at Tramore. While the bare form of that race would leave her with plenty to find in this class, it is her scope for further improvement that makes her interesting. She can become the latest female star to graduate from the Closutton academy.

Crackerdancer has been a revelation for her trainer and could well continue winning ways despite taking a step up in class. A three-time bumper winner last year, she easily won her maiden hurdle at Limerick over Christmas. She literally could be anything so has to be given serious consideration.

Selection: LAURINA

Next best: Crackerdancer

3.20 EASTER FESTIVAL 1ST-3RD APRIL MAIDEN HURDLE 2M

Play The Game was a high-class horse on the flat and he is beginning to get his act together over hurdles. Although yet to shed his maiden tag in four attempts, he has caught the eye on more than one occasion. His trainer does very well with a small string and likes to target his better types at this venue. With no standout contender in the line-up this looks a great opportunity to open his account over jumps. Sometimes A Fox shaped well on three starts in maidens on the flat before being bought to go hurdling. However, he didn’t get off to the best of starts at his new discipline, being pulled up at this track on his first outing. He is almost certainly capable of better than he showed on that occasion so remains of interest.

Selection: PLAY THE GAME

Next best: Sometimes A Fox

3.55 NEXT RACING AT FAIRYHOUSE SATURDAY FEBRUARY 7TH MAIDEN HURDLE 2M 4F

Shakeytry has finished fourth on each of his four starts to date but must hold leading claims in this weak maiden. He has run well in large fields showing plenty of potential and while he would have looked more a horse for handicaps down the line, this represents an unexpected opportunity to get off the mark. He will seldom get a better chance to shine.

Timmie Roe, a winning point-to-pointer, has also shown up well in a couple of maiden hurdles, including at Limerick last time. He should be capable of a bold show now as both track and trip will suit his style of racing.

Selection: SHAKEYTRY

Next best: Timmie Roe

4.25 ADARE MANOR OPPORTUNITY HANDICAP HURDLE 3M

Poormans Hill reverts to hurdling off a very lenient mark having improved over fences recently. Unlike many horses who make the switch, he has also shown plenty of ability over flights, winning on his most recent outing at Downpatrick.

This thorough stayer will be ideally suited to 3m on heavy ground and can prove too tough for this opposition.

Itsallhappening has failed to complete on his last three starts but there is no question that he possesses the ability to win a race of this nature. A clear round will certainly be a confidence booster and there must be a chance that is the prime objective on this occasion.

He could also prove more effective over 2m 4f so stamina issues are another worry.

Selection: POORMANS HILL

Next best: Itsallhappening