Ryan McElligott

1.45 WINNING FAIR JUVENILE HURDLE (GRADE 3) 2M

Voix Du Reve is an interesting French import. Since switching his attentions to jumping in France he has won twice and been placed twice from five starts including clear cut triumphs at Nancy and Enghien. Tocororo had around 6l to spare over Newberry New when the pair met in a maiden hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas and she may confirm that form now that she switches back to her own generation following an outing in an all aged handicap. Barnacle Bill’s first two flat runs, which include a close third to the high-class Bondi Beach at Leopardstown, make him a very interesting runner.

Selection: VOIX DU REVE

Next best: Tocororo

2.20 RATCLIFFE GROUP SUPPORTING ST MARGARET’S GAA MARES HANDICAP HURDLE 2M 4F

A hopeful vote goes to Arise And Go Now. She has yet to win a race and was only eighth to Who’s That at Leopardstown a couple of weeks ago but her best efforts have all come over this course and distance on testing ground and this race isn’t as strong as her last one. Furthermore she didn’t run at all badly when fourth to Good As Gold here on New Year’s Day which was her first start for almost a year. Top weight Not For Burning comes here off a sucession of solid runs. She won over 3m at this track last month and has followed that with a third to Golan Lodge at Leopardstown as well as a fifth to Rathpatrick in a Pertemps Qualifier. Teacher’s Pet pulled up last time but her previous run was somewhat encouraging.

Selection: ARISE AND GO NOW

Next best: Not For Burning

2.55 PARKVIEW PROVISIONS & AVENUE INN SUPPORTING KILLEAVY GAC HANDICAP HURDLE 2M 4F

Townshend is an unknown quantity on his first outing since leaving France. After two starts over hurdles in his homeland, which included a victory at Auteuil in June, he has been handed a mark of 131. It is interesting that connections have opted to try him in a handicap rather than in a novice hurdle and he might be the one to side with in. Mall Dini has run well in both of Ireland’s Pertemps Qualifiers, finishing third to Rathpatrick at Punchestown last time out. He won’t have any trouble coming back to this trip. Coolaghknock Glebe is chasing a hat-trick of handicaps wins while Squouateur made a taking start to life in handicaps when scoring at Leopardstown in December. Golan Lodge, a winner at Leopardstown last time, is another with a definite chance while Sam Red isn’t one to discount.

Selection: TOWNSHEND

Next best: Mall Dini

3.25 AT THE RACES BOBBYJO CHASE (GRADE 2) 3M 1F

Following his commendable second to My Murphy in last month’s Thyestes Chase, Mala Beach is taken to prevail. At Gowran Park he was right back to his best and there could easily be more to come from him over fences. Boston Bob pulled up in the Thyestes last time having previously finished down the field in the Galway Plate. A return to conditions races could suit him but his elder stablemate On His Own makes more appeal. He was a good fourth in the Lexus at Christmas time and ran much better than his final eighth in the Irish Gold Cup would suggest as he set a very searching pace and only gave best after the second last. At his best Vics Canvas wouldn’t be out of this either.

Selection: MALA BEACH

Next best: On His Own

4.00 AT THE RACES EBF BEGINNERS CHASE 2M 5F 100YDS

Fine Theatre could make a successful first venture over fences. The six-year-old comes here off a reasonably heartening effort in a Pertemps Qualifier at Punchestown several weeks ago where he was beaten just over 10l into fourth by Rathpatrick. Katnap lacks the advantage of a recent outing but several of his efforts from last season would give him every chance, notably his very creditable third to Heathfield in a valuable handicap chase at Navan 11 months ago. Curragh Na Gold has a definite chance on her last couple of runs while Vedettariat must improve on what he has shown over fences so far.

Selection: FINE THEATRE

Next best: Katnap

4.35 EASTER FESTIVAL 27TH-29TH MARCH HUNTERS CHASE 2M 5F 100YDS

The former kingpin of the hunter chasing scene, Salsify, made a fine return from 11 months off the track when finishing third to You Must Know Me in a well contested event at Leopardstown two weeks ago. The dual Cheltenham hero still retains much of his old ability and he will surely take beating here even though the ground is slower than ideal for him. Wish Ye Didnt was well beaten in that same Leopardstown race but that was her first run since May and she is entitled to do much better as a result of that outing. The former BoyleSports Hurdle victor Abbey Lane is also respected. He chased home Moon Dice in a Tyrella point-to-point last time.

Selection: SALSIFY

Next best: Wish Ye Didnt

5.10 IAN SMITH MEMORIAL (PRO/AM) FLAT RACE 2M

Are You Bidding can make a successful debut. This Presenting gelding is a well-bred sort as he is an own-brother to the dual Grade 1-winning chaser No More Heroes who was also a very smart sort in bumpers earlier in his career. He faces some interesting rivals including Laverteen who is a half-brother to a pair of useful blacktype-placed jumpers in France. Lion’s Cove, a son of Shantou, is also of considerable interest as his yard can often make their presence felt in this sphere.

Selection: ARE YOU BIDDING

Next best: Laverteen