John O’Riordan

12.05 IRISH STALLION OWNERS EBF MAIDEN HURDLE 2M

Red Jack is an exciting prospect who has the potential to take high rank in the novice hurdle division this season. The form of his debut success at this track was well franked by the second-placed horse who went on to occupy the same position in the Cheltenham bumper. Noel Meade’s charge was reputed to have needed the run when retaining his perfect record on his only subsequent start.

Mortal impressed on his only run to date when winning a Limerick bumper last March. Although off the track since then, he should be straight enough to do himself justice.

SELECTION: RED JACK

Next best: Mortal

12.35 POPLAR SQUARE CHASE (GRADE 3) 2M

Ordinary World looks well treated by the race conditions here and has run well fresh in the past. The seven-year-old competed at a high level last season, including when placed in Grade 1 company at both Cheltenham and Punchestown. He is in the right hands to develop into a leading two-mile chaser this winter and can start off with a win here.

American Tom is a lightly raced Mullins runner with huge scope for improvement. He faces no easy task on his reappearance but it is unknown just how good he could be. He was clearly not at his best when below par at this track when last seen and is readily forgiven that lapse.

SELECTION: ORDINARY WORLD

Next best: American Tom

1.10 FISHERY LANE HURDLE (GRADE 3) 2M

Ex Patriot was slightly disappointing on his return to the flat last time but has shown himself to be a far better animal over jumps. Placed in graded races last season, he carried a huge weight when third at Listowel in September. He holds a fitness edge over a couple of these rivals and should be able to exploit that advantage.

Duca De Thaix boasts some very smart form in his native France and makes his debut for Gordon Elliott here. He is the dark horse in the field so has to be given plenty of respect, particularly hailing from a stable in form.

SELECTION: EX PATRIOT

Next best: Duca De Thaix

1.45 HOSPITALITY AT NAAS MAIDEN HURDLE 2M 3F

Pallasator was a very useful stayer on the flat when trained in Britain but lost his way somewhat. Subsequently bought to go into training with Gordon Elliott, he made a very pleasing Irish debut when winning the Legends Race at Punchestown. While he faces altogether different opposition now, one could not help but be impressed with the manner of his latest success. He has the potential to go straight to the top over hurdles.

Next Destination was a leading bumper horse last season, winning at Fairyhouse before finishing fourth at the Cheltenham Festival. A point-to-point winner, he has always looked in need of further, so should be ideally suited to the extra three furlongs of this contest. He holds leading claims now but will need to be ultra smart to see off the Elliott horse.

SELECTION: PALLASATOR

Next best: Next Destination

2.20 PADDY POWER 1800 721 821 NOVICE HANDICAP CHASE 2M 4F

First To Boogie appeared to be getting his act together over fences when a close second at Galway last time out. The nine-year-old is well treated relative to his hurdles mark but perhaps more importantly, he arrives here at the top of his game. With trip and ground unlikely to pose any issues he should be good enough to gain his first win over fences.

Black Scorpion is lightly raced under rules and didn’t enjoy the best of fortunate at Tipperary last time. A reproduction of his previous effort at Tipperary would make him a major player in this average affair. On collateral form there doesn’t look to be much between himself and the Tylicki runner.

SELECTION: FIRST TO BOOGIE

Next best: Black Scorpion

2.55 PADDY POWER DIAL-A-BET BROWN LAD HANDICAP HURDLE (GRADE B) 2M 4F

Glenloe has been off the track since catching the eye at Punchestown last February, so his fitness has to be taken on trust. There is every chance that he will improve from the run but, given the fact this race is a graded affair, he may well be cherry ripe. If he arrives here in peak condition then he could prove to be a well handicapped hurdler.

At the other end of the weights, Oscar Knight is undoubtedly well treated back over flights. Rated much higher as a chaser, Tom Mullins runner isn’t always the cleanest of jumpers but if everything falls right then he is certainly capable of being involved off this mark.

SELECTION: GLENLOE

Next best: Oscar Knight

3.30 PADDY POWER FAST & CONVENIENT PHONE BETTING BEGINNERS CHASE 2M3F

Snow Falcon was just about the best of these horses over hurdles and has reportedly schooled really well over fences. Noel Meade’s seven-year-old had a spin on the flat just over a month ago so should be fit to do himself justice first time up. He remains a horse of some potential and could go to the very top over the larger obstacles.

Bacardys was a dual Grade 1 winner as a novice hurdler last season and is another with huge scope for progression in his new discipline. This intermediate trip should prove ideal for the Mullins runner and he may have too much toe for the majority of these rivals. It is exciting for Irish racegoers to witness the clash of two such exciting novices so early in the season.

SELECTION: SNOW FALCON

Next best: Bacardys

4.05 IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF MARES (PRO/AM) FLAT RACE 2M

Lady Ischia was a promising second on her only start thus far, a run that should be good enough to take this finale. Patrick Mullins is an eye-catching booking for the Cromwell mare, a hint that should be taken. This doesn’t look as strong as the Punchestown event in which she made her debut so she has a fantastic opportunity now.

Best Of Dubai has been placed on both runs to date, somewhat unlucky to bump into a couple of decent types. She will have learned plenty from those experiences and can use that to her advantage now. Although vulnerable to an improver, she has the ability to be involved in the closing stages.

SELECTION: LADY ISCHIA

Next best: Best Of Dubai