12.05 TRI Equestrian Maiden Hurdle 2m

Without much form to go on, this looks between Jack Kennedy’s chosen mount Ballyfad and Willie Mullins’ Grade 3-winning flat recruit Leader D’Allier. While Closutton’s representative has blacktype, and Gordon Elliott’s won two bumpers by half a length each, the latter has the advantage of two runs this season.

The maiden hurdle Tim Toe finished second in hasn’t worked out too well so far, in contrast to Shoda’s hurdle debut. It may have been a year ago, but it’s only a few months since the dual-purpose filly ran on the flat.

SELECTION: BALLYFAD

Next best: Leader D’Allier

12.35 Thorntons Recycling Maiden Hurdle 2m

Doctor Du Mesnil emerged as an exciting prospect in April, when easing clear in a Cork bumper, with the runner-up having since placed at Grade 2 level over hurdles.

El Cairos has more runs under his belt, most notably when fifth in the Cheltenham Champion Bumper, and that promise saw Gordon Elliott stretch to £410,000 for the five-year-old.

Murat, who won both his bumpers, needs to bounce back after disappointing on his hurdle bow, on softer ground than he’d experienced previously.

SELECTION: EL CAIROS

Next best: Doctor Du Mesnil

1.10 Changing Times Brewery Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m

Narciso Has was purchased privately after winning one of the most important three-year-old races in France, the Prix Wild Monarch. The well-related Doctor Dino gelding chased home a race-fit rival in a Grade 3 last month on his first start for Willie Mullins, and is expected to progress from that.

Barbizon made a smart start to his hurdling career, in a race won two years prior by Kala Conti, who followed up here. The maiden hurdle was on heavy ground, and this highly-rated flat horse might be seen to even better effect on drier ground.

Fellow flat recruit Ben Hur finished four and a quarter lengths behind him at Navan and is one of two runners to win since. While he seems to be improving, there’s no reason to think he can reverse the form here.

Quinta Do Lago is two from two, but the maiden hurdle he won by a length last time out didn’t look the strongest contest. Of the remainder, 105-rated Camelot gelding Puppet Master looks an exciting addition to the Ciaran Murphy yard.

SELECTION: NARCISO HAS

Next best: Barbizon

1.45 E-Auctions Novice

Handicap Hurdle 2m

The Store Boy makes his handicap debut off a workable mark of 113, presumably most influenced by his most recent effort, which came over two and a half miles on soft-to-heavy ground. He had finished third over two miles on both his previous starts, with both winners of those races placing at graded level since.

Spinola Bay went up 8lb for his successful hurdle debut earlier this month. He should improve from that, given that it was his first run for 14 months, and looks capable of winning off his new mark.

Nelson Muntz’s penultimate run over two miles and six furlongs at Thurles, where he finished a respectable third to a progressive type, sees him enter the reckoning here. He was five lengths in front of a horse who went close next time, with the fifth subsequently winning in good style, and he himself should produce a better effort back over the trip of his maiden hurdle win.

True Testimony is another with decent hurdle form and comes here fit following last month’s chase success.

SELECTION: THE STORE BOY

Next best: Spinola Bay

2.55 Racing Post Handicap Chase 2m 1f

A difficult puzzle to solve as some promising types take on the more experienced chasers, including last year’s 1-2-3, An Peann Dearg, The Folkes Tiara and The King Of Prs, all of whom appeared in better form coming into this 12 months ago.

One Last Tango was sent off favourite last year, beaten a length off 2lb lower than his current mark. He has run well enough without placing on two starts this season, but both runs came over slightly further, and he should be better suited by these conditions.

Of the less exposed types, Where’s My Jet intrigues after running a promising race before falling at the second last in a smart beginners’ chase last time out. It was a much better effort than his previous over fences, and the return to two miles was obviously to his liking.

Topham Chase runner-up Lisnamult Lad is better over further, while top-weight Lisnamult Lad and Grade 3 handicap chase winner Theatre Native may find things difficult off their current marks.

SELECTION: ONE LAST TANGO

Next best: Where’s My Jet

3.30 Race And Stay INH Flat Race 2m

Heldam was well-regarded by point-to-point hander Matthew Flynn O’Connor, who chose him as a horse to follow in this publication in June. The €110,000 store won his sole start between the flags and his nearest rival made a winning rules debut earlier this month.

Minella Machine sold for €350,000 after winning by 24 lengths on debut, though the winning margin was flattered by his nearest rival falling at the final fence. He’s a half-brother to a graded bumper horse and another dual bumper winner.

Outofafrika is a graduate of the British point-to-point scene, which doesn’t tend to command the sort of prices as the Irish winners, but he is a half-brother to a smart bumper mare. The Mourne Rambler joined Noel Meade after finishing second at Portrush in October, and while it may not have been the strongest maiden, he has the benefit of a run this season.

Premier Division should also be race-fit, a month after finishing third when well-backed for what looked a hot bumper at Fairyhouse, where he finished clear of the remainder. He ran around that day and should make a bolder show here.

SELECTION: HELDAM

Next best: Premier Division