John O’Riordan

12.15 JIM RYAN

RACECOURSE SERVICES

BEGINNERS CHASE 2M 5F

Livelovelaugh has been off the track since Punchestown in April so will need to be sharp here against a couple of Gordon Elliott rivals with race fitness on their side. However, the seven-year-old has always given the impression he would do better as a chaser and the tight track will suit his prominent racing style.

Sutton Manor was a decent handicap hurdler last season and has the benefit of two starts over fences already. That experience is unlikely to have been lost on him so he looks the one most likely to put it up to the Mullins runner.

Selection: LIVELOVELAUGH

Next best: Sutton Manor

12.50 IRISH STALLION

FARMS EBF MARES

HANDICAP CHASE 2M 4F

Magic Of Light can get her career back on track here having come to grief at Clonmel last time. Before that outing the mare had been an impressive winner of a beginners’ chase at this venue. Connections obviously feel she is well treated as they ran her in a listed race next time, a hint that should be taken. With a clear round of jumping one would expect her to prove too classy for this field.

Teachers Pet has won her last two starts and arrives here in excellent fettle. It is always wise to follow a mare in form so she has to be given the utmost respect. Any slip-ups from the Harrington horse and she looks to be the one to profit from the situation.

Selection: MAGIC OF LIGHT

Next best: Teachers Pet

1.25 EASYFIX HANDICAP

CHASE (GRADE B) 2M

De Name Escapes Me has only had the mandatory three starts over fences but appears well-handicapped on his first run in this grade. The Noel Meade-trained runner was a high-class handicap hurdler at his best and has winning form at this track. He will need to be streetwise against some seasoned campaigners but holds a leading chance if jumping well. He certainly has the profile of a horse who can do very well over fences.

Gwencily Berbas is lightly raced and open to plenty of improvement. A Grade 2 hurdle winner at this track, he was in winning form when last seen in June. While race fitness is a slight cause for concern, his trainer can have one ready after a break. The market should give a good guide as to his chances.

Selection: DE NAME ESCAPES ME

Next best: Gwencily Berbas

1.55 IRISH RACING YEAR

BOOK MAIDEN HURDLE

2M 2F

Blow By Blow was a leading bumper horse for Willie Mullins two seasons ago, winning three of his four starts, including the Grade 1 at Punchestown. He made a very satisfactory return to the racecourse (stable debut for Gordon Elliott) when third on his hurdling debut last time. With that run under his belt he should be much sharper now and it will be disappointing if he cannot take this race before loftier targets.

Someday had decent bumper form last season but needs to improve if he is to beat the Elliott runner. He has run well on both starts over flights but faces a tougher test now so looks up against it. Nonetheless, he should make the frame at the very least and could put it up to the likely favourite.

Selection: BLOW BY BLOW

Next best: Someday

2.30 CHRISTMAS PARTY

RACE DAY DECEMBER

16TH RATED NOVICE

HURDLE 2M 4F

Didero Vallis had been placed on all four starts in his native France before making a winning debut for the Mullins stable at Downpatrick. Although he wasn’t set the stiffest of tasks then, he won well and could have more to offer. On bare form he looks up against it now but in a tight contest he is the one relatively unknown quantity.

Arvico Bleu won his maiden hurdle at Clonmel before struggling when upped to 3m last time. He should be suited by the drop in trip now and is well treated by the race conditions. His pilot can also claim a valuable 5lbs which should bring him right into the mix.

Selection: DIDERO VALLIS

Next best: Arvico Bleu

3.05 KETTLES COUNTRY

HOUSE HOTEL

SUPPORTING FINGAL

RAVENS GAA HANDICAP

HURDLE 2M 4F

Our Boy Boru should be hard to beat here having made a very encouraging return to action at Navan recently. He led for most of the journey on that occasion only dropping away close home. With that outing having blown away the cobwebs, he will be hard to pass now on a track that will suit his style of racing.

Out Of The Loop wasn’t disgraced in a stronger contest at Down Royal last time so any market support would be significant. He had won his maiden hurdle at Downpatrick on his previous start and remains a lightly raced type. The step up in trip is also very much in his favour now.

Selection: OUR BOY BORU

Next best: Out Of The Loop

3.40 KETTLES COUNTRY

HOUSE HOTEL

SUPPORTING FINGAL

RAVENS GAA (PRO/AM)

FLAT RACE 2M

Minella Encore is somewhat unlucky not to be unbeaten at this early stage of his career. A faller when looking the most likely winner on his point-to-point debut, he made no mistake with an impressive success on his next start. Now racing for the all powerful Mullins yard, he will know his job well and should make it two from three.

Captain Cj should be chasing a five-timer here, having won three times before falling when in front last time. He is with the right man to get the best out of him, as the McLoughlin yard have done very well with similar types over the last few seasons. He should be a real danger to the Mullins representative.

Selection: MINELLA ENCORE

Next best: Captain Cj