2.30 FRANK WARD SOLICITORS ARKLE NOVICE CHASE (GRADE 1)

2M 1F

Bleu Et Rouge: Won at Grade 1 level as a novice hurdler and did especially well to overcome some indifferent jumping to claim a last gasp success over Gangster in a 2m 3f beginner’s event here last month. Can do much better as his jumping improves and warrants the utmost respect, but the drop back in trip isn’t certain to suit.

Identity Thief: Wasn’t far off the very best two-mile hurdlers last season and got his chasing career off to an especially promising start with two wins at Punchestown. However, an early blunder led to an abject display from him here last time. That last run leaves him with a question or two to answer but it was in no way a reflection of his abilities and he could easily bounce back with victory.

Royal Caviar: Held his own in some decent contests following a Thurles maiden hurdle win last season and showed a fine aptitude for this discipline with a commanding victory in a Thurles beginner’s chase just prior to Christmas. This is tougher and he will need to raise his game appreciably but there was plenty to like about that Thurles display.

Some Plan: Has won two of his three starts over fences so far and would have gone close in a Cheltenham Grade 2 on his other outing this term only to fall at the second last. Talented novice who looks well up to making his mark in graded company so he should be quite capable of giving a good account of himself here.

VERDICT

Identity Thief has questions to answer after pulling-up here last month. However, he remains a top-class chasing prospect and it is significant that connections are prepared to turn him out here. He has a good opportunity to get his season back on track. His stablemate Some Plan has made up into quite a smart novice this season and it wouldn’t come as any surprise if he gave him most to do.

1.30 DONOHUE MARQUEES MAIDEN HURDLE 2M

Melon is a well-touted sort and is chosen to make a winning Irish debut. This gelding had four runs on the flat in France and won over 1m 4f at Moulins in August 2015 on his penultimate start. The son of Medicean, who hails from a top German family, hasn’t run since the following month but that absence isn’t a major concern. He should be able to deal with last month’s Down Royal bumper winner Broken Soul, who posted an especially encouraging effort over hurdles last season when chasing home Anibale Fly in a maiden at Navan. That run should enable him to get closely involved. Prince Charmin’ showed up well to finish fourth to Meri Devie in a juvenile hurdle at this track last month and he looks the other contender of note.

Selection: MELON

Next best: Broken Soul

2.00 NATHANIEL LACY & PARTNERS SOLICITORS ‘€50,000

CHELTENHAM BONUS FOR STABLE STAFF’ NOVICE HURDLE (GRADE 2) 2M 4F

Easily one of the best novice hurdles run this season, with a host of talented sorts on show, and preference is for Monalee. He won a smart 2m 6f maiden hurdle at Punchestown on his return to action and then turned in a fine effort to finish a 3¾l second to Death Duty in a Navan Grade 2 last month. There could easily be better still to come from him and he is preferred to Let’s Dance. The latter dominated a Grade 3 mares contest at this track last month and showed some high quality form as a juvenile hurdler last season. This trip looks to suit her very well. Last month’s course and distance maiden hurdle winner Montalbano is of distinct interest, as is Joey Sasa, while Sire Du Berlais is an interesting recruit from France.

Selection: MONALEE

Next best: Let’s Dance

3.00 SANDYFORD HANDICAP CHASE 2M 1F

Pulled Mussel took a step in the right direction at Naas several weeks ago when chasing home Black Zero in a handicap chase over this trip. He now finds himself 3lbs higher in the weights but this eight-year-old can make further progress and his last effort indicated that he could be on the cusp of building on the considerable promise he showed earlier in his career. He could have most to fear from Powersbomb, who still held a clear lead when coming down at the last in a handicap chase over this course and distance last month. Powersbomb has been slapped with a 5lbs hike in the ratings but he is dropping in class and should again give a good account of himself.

Selection: PULLED MUSSEL

Next best: Powersbomb

4.00 CLUB 30 MEMBERSHIP HANDICAP CHASE (0-123) 2M 5F

He was unable to make much of an impression when favourite for a handicap chase over this course and distance last month, but Katnap could be worth another chance. A bad early mistake that day didn’t help his cause and, despite not producing the most fluent round of jumping, he was still only beaten 9l. That was his first run since April and he is capable of better so a much improved effort could be forthcoming here. Last year’s winner Bearly Legal is only 3lbs higher than he was in 2016 and the demands of this course and distance suit him well. He looks capable of mounting a strong challenge. Aurora Bell wouldn’t be without a chance on his best form and he has in the past shown up well in some quality handicaps.

Selection: KATNAP

Next best: Bearly Legal

4.30 LEOPARDSTOWN CLUB MEMBERSHIP (PRO/AM) FLAT RACE 2M

Debuchet could make his previous experience count. He made an encouraging start to his career by finishing a 2¾l second to Red Jack in the first four-year-old bumper of the year at Naas three weeks ago. That effort suggested that he would be more than capable of making his mark in a similar contest and he gets the vote to see off Le Richebourg, who started evens favourite for the Naas race and finished a further 5½l back in third. Its Only A Dream is among the interesting newcomers as a Lawman own-brother to a winner out of a capable mare.

Selection: DEBUCHET

Next best: Le Richebourg