1.55 THOMASTOWN MAIDEN HURDLE 2M

The Gordon Elliott-trained Chirico Vallis won’t get many better opportunities to get off the mark over hurdles than this.

The five-year-old has run very well in all three of his starts over hurdles, most recently finishing third to Bleu Berry at Fairyhouse.

He is unlikely to need to improve much if at all to win this. Another one with plenty of hurdling experience is the Ellmarie Holden-trained Lachares and he warrants the utmost respect based on his second to Dandy Mag at this track last month.

Selection: CHIRICO VALLIS

Next best: Lachares

2.30 BEST OF LUCK TO THE IRISH MAIDEN HURDLE 2M

Preference is given to the Adrian Keatley-trained Drumconnor Lad. The seven-year-old won a point-to-point and ran well without winning in three bumpers.

He was running a solid race on his hurdling debut when falling at the final obstacle at Naas last month and if he is none the worse from that, he is likely to run very well. Of the rest, the Pat Fahy-trained Castlegrace Paddy can be given a big chance if forgiving his most recent run at Limerick.

Selection: DRUMCONNOR LAD

Next best: Castlegrace Paddy

3.05 GOWRAN PARK GOLF CAPTAINS HANDICAP HURDLE (80-109) 2M 4F

One stands out from the pack and that is the Jessica Harrington-trained There You Go. The six-year-old has taken time to get the hang of hurdling, but showed notable improvement on his second start in a handicap when finishing second to the subsequent winner Camlann at Down Royal in January. Although he has been raised 6lb for that effort, he appeals as being progressive enough to defy it and get off the mark in this. Of his opposition, the Terence O’Brien-trained Mill Quest has very solid claims based on his last two runs in similar contests.

Selection: THERE YOU GO

Next best: Mill Quest

3.40 HOLDEN PLANT RENTALS SHAMROCK HANDICAP CHASE 2M 2F

The feature race of the day and a chance is taken that the Willie Mullins-trained New Kid In Town can get over the frailties in his jumping that have cost him in recent starts. The eight-year-old was still very much in the mix when falling at the second-last fence in the valuable Leopardstown Chase last time and this is a less competitive contest on paper. Although he would perhaps prefer a longer trip, he might well be able to prevail regardless. A solid alternative to the favourite is the John Ryan-trained Kilcarry Bridge who has shown himself to be capable of competing off this mark and comes into this race off the back of a solid run in novice chase company last time.

Selection: NEW KID IN TOWN

Next best: Kilcarry Bridge

4.15 HPR FLEET MANAGEMENT BEGINNERS CHASE 2M 4F

This looks to be a good opportunity for the Gordon Elliott-trained General Principle to make it seventh-time lucky over fences. The eight-year-old has an official rating of 140 over fences, having finished second to the likes of Bellow Mome, Uncle Danny and Bachasson, and didn’t run at all badly in a valuable novices’ handicap chase at Naas last time. He is unlikely to need to improve to win this. The main danger to the selection is undoubtedly the Willie Mullins-trained Dicosimo, but he has yet to match the smart level of form he showed over hurdles since being switched to fences.

Selection: GENERAL PRINCIPLE

Next best: Dicosimo

4.50 TETRATEMA CUP HUNTERS CHASE 3M 1F

The Ted Walsh-trained Foxrock would be a leading fancy of the Foxhunter Chase at the Cheltenham Festival if he was qualified for it, but he isn’t and takes up this engagement instead. He brings a very high level of form to the table and none of his rivals have form in the same parish as him. Barring an accident, this should be very straightforward for him. The one to finish second to him could well be Maple Mons, with the nine-year-old having won 11 point-to-points and a hunter chase over the years.

Selection: FOXROCK

Next best: Maple Mons

5.25 RACEDAY PACKAGES P-TO-P INH FLAT RACE 2M 2F

This has produced some future stars in recent years, such as Yorkhill and First Lieutenant, and there are some interesting contenders for this year’s renewal. The one that makes the most appeal is the Jimmy Mangan-trained Castlebrook, with the son of Oscar having won a point-to-point at Tallow by a distance after being left clear at the last when well in charge at the time.

Patrick Mullins is a significant booking and he is likely to take the beating. The Mouse Morris-trained Eviscerating is likely to be a popular alternative to the Selection based on his win at Boulta last November.

Selection: CASTLEBROOK

Next best: Eviscerating