1.53 racingtv.com Mares Hurdle 2m

Cheekpieces have been a valuable addition to several Willie Mullins-trained runners of late and perhaps they might help bring out the best in Baby Kate, who looks to have been found a lovely opening to double her tally over hurdles. The listed bumper winner failed to really spark last time, though she was later found to have a small wound to the inside of her left fore knee. This looks the most manageable assignment she’s been set all season, albeit she needs to leave behind her last effort to collect.

Blue Waters is 4lb wrong at the weights with the selection, and well clear of her other two rivals in here. She hasn’t been disgraced in Grade 3 company the last twice and has been freshened up since her last start 126 days ago. It’s possible she might appreciate better ground, but she could be a little less exposed than her main rival.

SELECTION: BABY KATE

Next best: Blue Waters

2.23 Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle 2m

For all that he’s got to shoulder plenty of weight, this open-looking contest represents a fair drop in class for Lenjoleur De Palma compared to when a fine second in a €50,000 handicap for four-year-olds here over Christmas. He’s been nudged up 3lb since and has no rider claim in action here (Gary Noonan claimed another 3lb off last time). However, he’s been nicely progressive since joining the locally-based Eric McNamara team and clearly likes it around here. It looks a good chance for him to go one better.

Crohan Lady ran well in defeat last time at Thurles on her handicap introduction. She could be in the shake-up again off 3lb higher. Whether the ground will be heavy enough for Marelly to be seen at his best is the slight question, given how effective he is on extreme ground, and Malikanna, who hinted at winning ability in a bumper, is worth a market check on her handicap bow for Padraig Roche.

SELECTION: LENJOLEUR DE PALMA

Next best: Crohan Lady

2.53 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle 2m 3f

Dani Donadoni, representing Cheltenham stars Paul Townend and Willie Mullins, has been expensive to follow in maiden hurdles this season, though he looks down in class here and has the ability to collect. His rating of 127 is a proper standard for the others to chase down. He’s also back to the scene of his smart bumper win on debut last April.

Doctor Elvis took a step in the right direction at Naas a fortnight ago, and he’s been progressing with each run since returning from a huge absence. Freddie’s Back caught the eye when fourth to You Proof here over Christmas. He might be more of a handicap prospect after this third hurdles run, but is worth following.

SELECTION: DANI DONADONI

Next best: Doctor Elvis

3.27 SIS Supporting Irish

Racing Handicap Chase 2m 3f 120yd

A tricky affair in which a tentative vote goes to course winner Krabat for local connections. He’s only 4lb higher than when winning a veterans’ chase at the Christmas Festival and his latest second to a horse nearly half his age over hurdles at Gowran five weeks ago was an admirable showing (at a similar trip to this). He’ll cope with conditions fine and still appears to be in a good place at the age of 11.

Miss Pronunciation has been frustrating to follow and is bound to pop up in one of these at some point, though she’s not been ultra-reliable. Mount Frisco and Caesar Rock are capable players at the bottom of the weights, while Mystical Goddess would have a squeak if bouncing back from a poor Christmas result over a trip that probably stretched her.

SELECTION: KRABAT

Next best: Mystical Goddess

4.02 Hugh McMahon Memorial Novice Chase (Grade 3) 3m 150yd

A disappointing turnout that looks set to benefit the Townend-Mullins combination, as You Oughta Know is rated 19lb superior to his nearest rival in this four-runner Grade 3. A faller when 9/2 favourite for the Kerry National in September, he ran creditably when second to Ol Man Dingle in a Cork Grade 3 in November but otherwise hasn’t made his presence felt in recent months. That said, he is now considerably down in grade. Uhavemeinstitches is another 24lb clear of her closest rival.

SELECTION: YOU OUGHTA KNOW

Next best: Uhavemeinstitches

4.37 Join Racing TV Handicap Chase 3m 150yd

It could be worth giving one more chance to Klass Langy, who was 100/30 favourite to make a winning debut for Joseph O’Brien in a Cheltenham November Meeting handicap chase earlier this season, but hasn’t really landed a telling blow in his first three starts since joining from France. He’s a half-brother to Git Maker, who finished second in the 2024 Kim Muir, third in the same season’s Scottish National and third in last weekend’s Midlands Grand National, so he’s bred to have a chance of appreciating this longer trip than he’s ever faced before. If anything, he’s looked like lacking a gear over shorter so far on these shores, though he does need to step up in any case.

Dream In The Park would have a squeak at a course he likes, if the ground dries out. Favori Logique is an 11-year-old now, but ran a cracker on his return from a 573-day absence at Leopardstown earlier this month. If the bounce factor doesn’t come into play, he’ll give this a real good rattle.

SELECTION: KLASS LANGY

Next best: Favori Logique

5.12 Kevin McManus

Bookmaker Champion (Pro/Am) Bumper (Listed) 2m

With the exception of a disappointing second start (when the trainer blamed himself for forgetting to fit ear plugs and felt that she raced too keen and forward), Coole Cafe has been a smart watch in both her academy hurdle win at Navan and recent bumper victory at Naas. In a listed event that lacks standout formlines, she gets the vote to follow up for Gavin Cromwell, whose Cheltenham string generally ran huge last week. She’ll handle testing ground and has a nice experience edge on several of these.

Apache Peak was second to her last time and should be thereabouts again, Brady Hartsfield just failed on his Punchestown debut last month, though this looks a deeper race, and Cinating probably met a smart winner when third at Leopardstown 20 days ago and can improve.

Peter Fahey has a 29% strike rate in bumpers this season (four winners) and the fact he runs a newcomer in listed company first time could well be taken as a positive for Rebel Getaway, who has a chance on pedigree.

SELECTION: COOLE CAFE

Next best: Rebel Getaway