2.10 John Lynch Memorial Maiden Hurdle 2m

The 112-rated Louiescall sets the standard having improved with each outing in maidens. Having run well for a long way in the Lartigue Hurdle on Thursday, the Harry Kelly-trained gelding looks very much the one to beat if making a quick reappearance.

French flat winner Dschingis Dragon was an early faller on her stable debut at Punchestown in June, before finishing third at Cork the following month. With that latter run almost certainly more of a confidence-booster, the Henry De Bromhead-trained four-year-old can be expected to take a significant step further on this third start.

SELECTION: LOUIESCALL

Next best: Dschingis Dragon

2.45 Allman Contracts Novice Hurdle 2m 4f

The Ross O’Sullivan-trained Strong Link can maintain his unbeaten record over hurdles. An impressive winner on his jumping debut at Tipperary in July, the five-year-old showed that he could do it the hard way too when overcoming trouble in running to score at Galway last time. Well treated at these weights, the son of Diamond Boy can make it three from three.

The well-bred Cameletta Vega, who finished runner-up in that aforementioned Galway race, looks the biggest threat. An easy winner on her hurdling debut at Cork on her previous start, the six-year-old is open to further improvement.

SELECTION: STRONG LINK

Next best: Cameletta Vega

3.20 M.J. Carroll ARRO Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f

Willie Mullins could have the answer here in the form of the lightly-raced Sysko. A winner on the flat in France, the gelding proved somewhat disappointing on his stable debut at last year’s Galway Festival but redeemed himself when successful at Punchestown next time. Again, running below par at Ballybrit in July, he might just not be suited to the track.

Dreal Deal, who has run well on both starts since joining Philip Rothwell, could be well-handicapped over flights. A former Grade 2 winner, the veteran is rated slightly higher over fences, so might well be able to exploit his hurdle mark at some stage.

SELECTION: SYSKO

Next best: Dreal Deal

3.55 Kathleen Walsh Memorial Handicap Hurdle 2m 6f

A winner off 2lb higher here last year, the Emmet Mullins-trained Rising Dust has almost certainly been prepared with the festival in mind. Formerly in the care of the now retired Michael Hourigan, the gelding shaped with plenty of promise when runner-up on his first start for Mullins at Kilbeggan recently. He has every chance of going one better here.

Corkbeg, a consistent performer in similar races of late, has to be a contender. Second at Wexford last time, the eight-year-old was raised 2lb for that effort but can race off 5lb lower once taking the claim of Alan O’Sullivan into account.

SELECTION: RISING DUST

Next best: Corkbeg

4.30 Charlie Chute Memorial Handicap Chase 2m 6f

Galway runner-up Talk In The Park has strong claims on his handicap chase debut. A dual winner over hurdles, the Ross O’Sullivan-trained gelding had been campaigned over two miles on his initial runs over fences. Stepped up to this trip in a beginners’ chase at Galway last month, he showed marked improvement in finishing second.

Weveallbeencaught has to be respected on his debut for trainer Eric McNamara. A smart novice a couple of seasons back, the gelding had rather lost his way prior to showing a bit more last term. Perhaps another chance of scenery can see the eight-year-old rediscover his best form.

SELECTION: TALK IN THE PARK

Next best: Weveallbeencaught

5.05 John and Terry Moriarty

Memorial (Q.R.) Handicap Chase 2m 7f 180yd

Despite his big weight, the Emmet Mullins-trained Backmersackme has to be respected. A former point-to-point and bumper winner, the six-year-old failed to add to that tally over hurdles, but ran some creditable races in decent company. Having had just the three qualifying runs over fences, he now has his first outing in a handicap.

UK raider Easy Bucks is an intriguing contender for Mickey Bowen. A winner at Perth last time, the seven-time scorer was formerly in the care of Shark Hanlon. It will be interesting to see how well handicapped he proves relative to the home contingent.

SELECTION: BACKMERSACKME

Next best: Easy Bucks

5.40 Listowel Printing Works Slan Abhaile (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race 2m

Starting Fifteen should prove difficult to beat for trainer Eric McNamara. Runner-up in a listed bumper at Limerick on his racecourse debut, the City Light gelding was off the track until finishing third at Punchestown in April. Given his trainer’s remarkable record at this particular meeting over the years, connections almost certainly kept Starting Fifteen back for this race.

A hugely-impressive winner here in May, Samba Train is another that is likely to have been kept back with the festival in mind. The form of that race has been well advertised by the runner-up subsequently.

SELECTION: STARTING FIFTEEN

Next best: Samba Train