12.25 HOLMES O’MALLEY SEXTON 3-Y-O MAIDEN HURDLE 2M

Leomar is a hopeful choice to make a winning start over hurdles. This gelding struggled when upped to stakes class on his last couple of outings but prior to that he won twice between 1m 2f and 1m 3f in France and Germany. The form he has shown would indicate that he can make his mark over hurdles.

He is chosen ahead of Tout Est Permis, who has run to a respectable level since arriving in Ireland. Last time out Tout Est Permis finished a remote 29l second to the exciting Dinaria Des Obeaux at Cork, a race in which Lachares wasn’t disgraced in fifth.

Selection: LEOMAR

Next best: Tout Est Permis

12.55 SIGNSPLUS HURDLE 2M 4F

This could see Allblak Des Places build on the considerable promise that he showed in two outings last season. He made a successful Irish debut at Fairyhouse, when beating Outspoken, and then stepped forward nicely to finish a fine second to Footpad in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown in February.

With the exception of Apple’s Jade, that Leopardstown race contained the best of last season’s juvenile hurdlers which puts the merit of that effort in perspective. Runfordave has progressed well this season having already won a Down Royal bumper and a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse in which he accounted for some decent types. He will appreciate moving up to this trip.

Val De Ferbet has some good form to his name and is not one to discount.

Selection: ALLBLAK DES PLACES

Next best: Runfordave

1.25 FUTURETICKETING.IE MAIDEN HURDLE 2M 3F

Champagne Classic gets the vote following his respectable hurdling debut at Punchestown several weeks ago when he finished a 9½l second to the impressive Turcagua. He is entitled to improve for that initial jumping experience and it is worth recalling that he was an impressive 10l winner of a Fairyhouse bumper last month. He is chosen ahead of Without Limites, who won two bumpers last season including one on heavy ground at this track. The Martaline gelding is another that can progress from his hurdling debut which saw him finish third to Light That at Gowran last month. Bravissimo hasn’t run for two years but is still an intriguing contender.

Selection: CHAMPAGNE CLASSIC

Next best: Without Limites

2.00 SHANNON AIRPORT NOVICE CHASE (GRADE 2) 2M 3F 120YDS

He was among the leading staying novice hurdlers of last season and there is every reason to believe that Bellshill will prove just as effective over fences this term. The multiple Grade 1 winner got his chasing career off to a bright start at Gowran last month when landing a 2m 4f beginner’s event by 10l and he is one that can be relied upon to progress throughout the season. He may ultimately be at his best over further but he should still be able to see off stablemate Haymount.

That one looked to progress markedly for the switch to fences at Punchestown last month where he accounted for the subsequent Grade 1 winner Coney Island in a 2m 4f beginner’s chase. Diamond King is certainly better than he showed in the Drinmore but this testing ground won’t be ideal.

Selection: BELLSHILL

Next best: Haymount

2.35 O’KELLY BROTHERS DEMOLITION MARES HANDICAP HURDLE 2M

Never Again hasn’t run for 243 days and her last two outings came on the flat but she boasts an eye catching effort on her most recent start over hurdles. On that occasion she won quite a reasonable conditions hurdle on heavy ground over this course and distance in March where she came home ½l in front of the classy Slowmotion.

On that form, this daughter of Jeremy doesn’t look at all badly treated. She is chosen ahead of Knockraha Pylon who finds herself 8lbs higher in the weights as a result of her recent success at Cork. She is another for whom the conditions will not be a concern.

Selection: NEVER AGAIN

Next best: Knockraha Pylon

3.05 MR BINMAN HANDICAP CHASE (0-116) 2M 3F 120YDS

It is hard to look past the claims of Pause And Ponder even though he has yet to make much of an impression over fences. This gelding began his career on the track with an excellent second to Yorkhill in a bumper at Gowran and he belatedly built on that promise when defeating Silver Tara in a 2m 6f handicap hurdle at Navan earlier this month. That effort represented a notable upswing in his fortunes and he could now make the most of his lowly chase mark.

Eiri Na Casca is more than good enough to make his presence felt and he ran quite well on testing ground over hurdles at this meeting last year.

Selection: PAUSE AND PONDER

Next best: Eiri Na Casca

3.40 LYONS OF LIMERICK JAGUAR & LAND ROVER MARES FLAT RACE 2M

Miss Sapphire can make a winning start to her career on the track.

She represents powerful connections and makes plenty of appeal as a daughter of Flemensfirth out of a bumper winner and from the family of the top-class staying chaser Strong Flow.

Despite her lack of previous experience, she is taken to deal with the threat posed by Good To Flow, who has shown definite promise on all her starts, the most recent of which saw her finish fourth to Pravalaguna in a maiden hurdle at Navan earlier in the month.

Selection: MISS SAPPHIRE

Next best: Good To Flow