2.00 Anton O’Toole Memorial Mares Novice Hurdle 2m 4f

Barrington Court can follow up her game success at Punchestown last week where she defeated Getaway Gorgeous by a head. That was her first run since September so there should be more to come from her and this longer trip should suit her. She was a high-class sort in bumpers and looks to be returning to her best.

A bold showing from Mrs Milner would not surprise. After winning a Thurles maiden hurdle, she ran very respectably to finish seventh in a highly competitive novice handicap at this track at Christmas. Last time out, a bad mistake at the first flight consigned her to a midfield finish in the high-class mares’ handicap hurdle won by Black Tears.

Larquebuse is respected but her efforts over hurdles suggests that she would prefer a longer trip.

SELECTION: BARRINGTON COURT

Next best: Mrs Milner

2.30 Donohoe Marquees Maiden Hurdle 2m 2f

He has come up short on his first three starts over hurdles, but Jon Snow has still performed to a decent standard and he makes plenty of appeal. Last time out he finished a 2l second to Exit Poll at Fairyhouse which was a solid effort and a repeat of either of his previous placed runs behind The Bosses Oscar and Front View would probably suffice.

He can deal with the threat posed by Fakiera who made a bright start over hurdles to finish a 5l second to the talented Entoucas at Naas several weeks ago.

Dinny Lacey is respected on the form he has shown on his first two outings over hurdles and his good third to Thatsy at Navan several months ago would put him into the thick of the action.

SELECTION: JON SNOW

Next best: Fakiera

3.05 New Leopardstown Racing Hall Hurdle 2m 2f

Mengli Khan is a tentative choice. He is a former Grade 1 winner over hurdles and showed some high-class form over fences last season but he has won just once in his last 17 starts.

On ratings and at the weights he is well treated by the conditions of this race and he comes here off two respectable efforts in graded hurdles, finishing third to Stormy Ireland at Naas in January and filling the same position behind Cilaos Emery in the Red Mills Hurdle at Gowran Park a fortnight ago.

His biggest threat might come from Jetz. The latter hasn’t been in the best of form over fences lately but he is a very smart type at his best over hurdles and reached a rating of 142 as a novice when his form included placed efforts at Grade 1 and Grade 2 level.

SELECTION: MENGLI KHAN

Next best: Jetz

3.35 TRM Equine Nutrition Handicap Hurdle 2m

A chance is taken on Spruced Up who finds herself a stone higher than when winning a 2m handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day. On her only start since then, she led at the last flight in the valuable handicap won by Black Tears here four weeks ago before having to settle for fourth. That suggested that she was more than keeping pace with her rise up the ratings and with her rider claiming a valuable 7lb on this occasion she makes plenty of appeal.

Tandem is interesting despite his advancing years. He ran well to finish ninth to The Moyglass Flyer in a smart handicap hurdle here at Christmas and wouldn’t need to improve much at all to play a leading role.

Polished Steel would have prospects on his second to Pakens Rock at Thurles six weeks ago.

SELECTION: SPRUCED UP

Next best: Tandem

4.10 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Rated Novice Chase 2m 1f

Batcio looks to bounce back from his fall at the second last fence in a valuable handicap over this course and distance four weeks ago when he held a narrow lead. Before that he ran another good race over this course and distance to finish a ½l second to Drumconnor Lad and he also won a 2m handicap chase at Clonmel in early December.

He can deal with Grand Partner who shaped up well for much of the race before eventually having to settle for fourth behind Tikkanen Express in a 2m handicap chase at Thurles last week. Smithscorner is another to keep in mind although he might need his first run since taking second behind Act In Time at Killarney in August.

SELECTION: BATCIO

Next best: Grand Partner

4.40 TRI Equestrian Handicap Chase (Grade B) 2m 5f 60y

This could see Poker Party land another valuable handicap. This eight-year-old won the Kerry National in September before then running a fine fourth in the Paddy Power Chase at Christmas off a mark just 2lb lower than the one he runs off here. He also has form at shorter trips as evidenced by his victory in a decent novice handicap chase at Naas just over a year ago.

Last season’s Cheltenham Gold Cup runner-up Anibale Fly has been struggling for form this season but he is taking a huge drop in class having taken on some of the very best chasers around on his last three starts. His last two ventures into handicap company having seen him finish fourth and fifth in the last two runnings of the Grand National and he could easily be a force back in this company although a longer trip would suit him far better.

SELECTION: POKER PARTY

Next best: Anibale Fly

5.10 TRI Equestrian Superstore & Cafe (Pro/Am) Flat Race 2m

Homme D’un Soir has to give weight all round by virtue of being the only previous winner in the line up but he looks equal to the task at hand. On his debut, he won nicely at Gowran Park in January when handing out a 7½l beating to Light Brigade and his effort there suggested that he would be more than capable of holding his own in winners’ company.

He faces some interesting newcomers including Lunar Display who is a Getaway half-sister to several bumper winners and her rider’s very useful 7lb claim means that she gets a stone and a half from the selection.

Say Goodbye is also interesting. She is a stablemate of Homme D’Un Soir and makes notable appeal on pedigree as she is an own-sister to the very promising Kildisart.

SELECTION: HOMME D’UN SOIR

Next best: Lunar Display