John O’Riordan

12.05 THANKS TO ALL OUR CUSTOMERS 3-Y-0 MAIDEN HURDLE 2M

Kuraka would have been rated much lower than a few of these on the level but showed plenty of ability on his recent hurdles debut at Down Royal.

Making his first start for the Elliott stable, he kept on nicely to finish runner- up to a well-regarded juvenile. With that experience under his belt he is likely to take all the beating now in a race that possesses more quantity than quality.

Randalls Ur Poet has been placed twice from three starts over hurdles and has that crucial experience to call upon. Although vulnerable to an unexposed newcomer, the Fahey runner should run his race and looks capable of making the frame at a big price.

Selection: KURAKA

Next best: Randalls Ur Poet

12.35 INH STALLION OWNERS EBF MAIDEN HURDLE 2M

Carter McKay was a leading bumper horse last season, winning his first two starts before disappointing at Cheltenham. The fact he was sent off second favourite for the festival bumper shows just how well thought of he actually was.

A prominent racer, he found it difficult in such a large field at Cheltenham but will be much more at home in this smaller lineup. It looks an ideal opportunity for the Mullins horse to get his hurdling career off to a winning start.

Minellafordollars is unbeaten in his only two appearances to date and literally could be anything. An easy point-to-point winner, he was equally impressive on his bumper debut at Navan last March. He faces a tough rival now but could well prove up to the task.

Selection: CARTER MCKAY

Next best: Minellafordollars

1.10 JOIN GOWRAN PARK RACING CLUB NOVICE HURDLE 2M

Sharjah made an impressive Irish debut when winning easily over this course and distance in September.

Although that was his first run over hurdles, he had plenty of experience racing on the level in his native France. In a race where the three previous winners look like they could all be well above average, he is given the verdict solely on his racing experience.

Shady Operator beat a well-regarded horse at Cork on his first try over flights and is sure to have improved from that outing.

He travelled really well on that occasion and should be played late from off the pace here. He looks a real danger to all.

Selection: SHARJAH

Next best: Shady Operator

1.45 CATHY O’FARRELL AIRO WINNER 2017 MARES HANDICAP HURDLE 2M

Roja Dove, a winner on her first start for Peter Fahey recently, looks capable of following up here. Formerly trained on the flat in this country, she initially did well in Britain but had dropped in the ratings of late.

The daughter of Jeremy certainly looked to be on her way back last time and there is no reason why she can’t run up a sequence for her new handler.

Pat’s Oscar has been running consistently well in recent starts but has been competing at a slightly lesser grade.

She looks best of the rest now but has bumped into an improving mare who looks to have her measure.

Selection: ROJA DOVE

Next best: Pat’s Oscar

2.20 LADBROKES BET 10 & GET 40 ON THE GRID CHASE 2M 4F

Min remains an exciting prospect; winning four of his five runs for Willie Mullins, suffering his only defeat at the hands of the high-class Altior.

Impressive on both starts over fences last season, his campaign was cut short when injury intervened. There is no reason why he can’t still make up into a leading chaser in time, with this looking an ideal starting point.

Flaxen Flare is a former Cheltenham Festival winner who has also just had the two starts over fences. Although far more experienced in terms of races run, he lacks the star quality of the selection.

However, should the Mullins runner fail to perform then he is good enough to step up and take the prize.

Selection: MIN

Next best: Flaxen Flare

2.55 IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF BEGINNERS CHASE 2M 4F

Tin Soldier won his first two starts for new connections last season before running a huge race in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham.

On his final start of the campaign he wasn’t disgraced when stepped up to Grade 1 company at the Punchestown Festival over 3m.

The drop back to this intermediate trip looks just what is required now and he will be able to put his turn of foot to better use.

Monbeg Notorious arrives with a big reputation, having always looked a chaser in the making.

Winner of his point-to-point, before going on to success on the track, he looks a real nice addition to the novice chase ranks this winter. He may do better over a longer trip in time but has the class to be very dangerous here.

Selection: TIN SOLDIER

Next best: Monbeg Notorious

3.30 IRISH RACING YEARBOOK HANDICAP CHASE 2M

Little Stevie is well handicapped over fences relative to his hurdles mark and has shown signs of a revival recently. Placed on his last two runs, he appears as though the minimum trip will play to his strengths now. His young pilot is riding with plenty of confidence at the moment so he will lack for nothing from the saddle. Dont Kick Nor Bite has been in good form in recent months and arrives here with a solid chance. While a longer trip would probably suit the mare better, she has to be given serious consideration in a weak contest.

Selection: LITTLE STEVIE

Next best: Dont Kick Nor Bite