1.00 BOOK HOSPITALITY ONLINE MAIDEN HURDLE 2M

The gradual drop in quality of maiden hurdles that always tends to start after the Christmas meetings is underway and Gordon Elliott looks to have found a good opportunity for Leomar to get off the mark over hurdles. A winner on the Flat in France, he made a promising start to his hurdling career when just touched off by Tout Est Permis in a maiden at Limerick’s Christmas meeting. With improvement likely to be forthcoming, he will be tough to beat. Of the rest, Theydon Park is an interesting recruit to the Joseph O’Brien team. The son of Royal Applause dead-heated in a bumper at Huntingdon in October when trained by Peter Charalambous and subsequently changed hands for £18,000.

Selection: LEOMAR

Next best: Theydon Park

1.30 LIMESTONE LAD H’DLE (GRADE 3) 2M

The Willie Mullins-trained Ivan Grozny bypassed the Irish Champion Hurdle in favour of this contest and he can capitalise on such a lowering of his sights with a victory. The seven-year-old has improved since being switched to more forceful riding tactics, making all to win a Grade 3 and a Grade 2 at Tipperary. His absence since October is not a major concern given his trainer’s record with horses returning from a break and he is likely to take all the beating. Perhaps his most interesting rival is the Gordon Elliott-trained Sutton Place, with the six-year-old returning from a 10-month absence having impressed in winning in listed and Grade 2 novice hurdle company last season.

Selection: IVAN GROZNY

Next best: Sutton Place

2.00 I.N.H. STALLION OWNERS EBF MAIDEN HURDLE 2M 3F

This is the stronger of the two maiden hurdles on the card and preference is given to the Gordon Elliott-trained Mossback. The five-year-old made a winning debut in a bumper at Limerick in April and made an encouraging seasonal and hurdling debut in a maiden at this track earlier this month when fifth to Art Of Security. This longer trip promises to suit him well and he could well improve enough to prevail.

The main danger to him is undoubtedly the Liz Doyle-trained Bosco Di Alco, with the six-year-old having run very well in two of his three starts over hurdles.

Selection: MOSSBACK

Next best: Bosco Di Alco

2.35 WOODLANDS PARK 100 CLUB NOVICE CHASE (GRADE 3) 3M

This is an intriguing novice chase, one which could have implications for the markets for the both the RSA Chase and the National Hunt Chase at the Cheltenham Festival.

There isn’t much between the main protagonists and a chance is taken that what promises to be a strong test of stamina will help A Genie In Abottle to prevail. Noel Meade’s charge is a leading fancy for the National Hunt Chase, but appeals as having the class to compete at this level over this trip.

The Mags Mullins-trained Martello Tower got the better of the selection in a maiden chase at Fairyhouse prior to proving a shade disappointing in Grade 1 company at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.

The application of first-time cheekpieces, combined with this drop in class, should help him compete.

Selection: A GENIE IN ABOTTLE

Next best: Martello Tower

3.10 IRISH JOCKEYS ASSOCIATION HANDICAP HURDLE 2M

Marginal preference is given to the Shane Nolan-trained Charlie Stout. The six-year-old has been steadily progressing since entering handicap hurdles, winning at Thurles in December prior to running well to finish third in a stronger contest at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting.

A repeat of that effort is likely to be enough to see him go close in this. Of his rivals, the John Ryan-trained Draycott Place can be expected to compete on his return to hurdling off a mark that is 14lb lower than he has over fences.

Selection: CHARLIE STOUT

Next best: Draycott Place

3.45 PANORAMIC RESTAURANT HANDICAP CHASE (0-109) 2M 3F 110YDS

Another competitive handicap and a chance is taken on the Tom Mullins-trained Fairy Island. The nine-year-old has only shown glimpses of promise in his career, but has undoubtedly showed enough to suggest he can compete in a handicap of this standard.

While he has been absent since October, market support would be very encouraging indeed.

A solid alternative to the selection is the Michael McDonagh-trained Black Zero, with the nine-year-old having returned to form with a win at this track last time.

Selection: FAIRY ISLAND

Next best: Black Zero

4.20 TIPPER ROAD (PRO-AM) INH FLAT RACE 2M 3F

Alan Fleming saddled the winner of the bumper at Leopardstown last weekend and looks to have another strong prospect here in the shape of Borderline Chatho. The son of Born King was well fancied for his debut at Leopardstown over a year ago and ran a race full of promise in finishing third to Bacardys.

That race has worked out quite well and if he is primed for his return to action he will be tough to beat. Newcomers from the Willie Mullins yard must always be considered and it looks to be significant that he has persevered with For Syl, a seven-year-old mare that is only now making her racecourse debut.

Market support for her would obviously be encouraging.

Selection: BORDERLINE CHATHO

Next best: For Syl