John O’Riordan

12.40 TEGRAL SUPPORTING KILDARE GAA MAIDEN HURDLE 2M

Ben Dundee has been off the track since making an eye-catching debut at Leopardstown in December but could prove good enough now if at peak fitness. The long absence of the Andrew Lynch-trained four-year-old has to be a concern but he has been set a realistic target on this seasonal debut.

Act In Time caught the eye staying on behind another of his owners horses at Punchestown last time.

A 66/1 chance on that occasion he was clearly unfancied but ran a race full of promise. While he gave the impression that a slightly longer trip may see him in a better light, the son of Stowaway will relish the uphill finish at this track.

Selection: BEN DUNDEE

Next Best: Act In Time

1.10 BRADY’S FAMILY HAM SUPPORTING KILDARE GAA POPLAR SQUARE CHASE (GRADE 3) 2M

Avant Tout may be good enough to make a winning seasonal debut over a trip some way short of his best. The French import ended the previous campaign with an easy success at Punchestown, leaving connections planning a tilt at the Hennessy Gold Cup. While there is every possibility this race at the minimum trip may put him right for a shot at the Newbury feature, he is still well treated at the weights and could prove hard to beat.

Dandridge has a bit to find with a few of his rivals but races over his ideal trip on ground that should suit. A winner at Doncaster last season, he should take high rank in the 2m handicap chase division this season and may not need to be at his best to get involved now.

Selection: AVANT TOUT

Next Best: Dandridge

1.45 PRIORY WALLS OF KILGOWAN HURDLE 2M4F

Ivanovich Gorbatov makes his first start against the older horses in a race that looks his for the taking. Last season’s Triumph Hurdle winner struggled on softer ground later in the campaign but should be fine with the underfoot conditions now. It will be disappointing for connections should he fail to add to his winning record here. A winner over 15f on the flat, he should be suited to the longer trip now.

De Plotting Shed looks the only conceivable danger to the McManus runner, having won on his last two starts and also having race fitness on his side. Gordon Elliott’s charge has proven form over this longer distance and will be well poised to take advantage of any fitness issues with the likely favourite.

Selection: IVANOVICH GORBATOV

Next Best: De Plotting Shed

2.20 BALLYMORE PIPERS HILL SUPPORTING KILDARE GAA BEGINNERS CHASE 2M

Attribution was just about the best of these over hurdles and has made a smooth transition to chasing. He did little wrong when runner-up on his first start over the larger obstacles at Fairyhouse last time and should strip fitter now. His jumping was good on that occasion and with Barry Geraghty taking the mount now he has to be a leading contender.

Damut made great strides over hurdles last season, winning four races in succession. Although very disappointing on his first run over fences at Punchestown last month, he is surely capable of better. The Joseph Dullea-runner should do better now and could be a horse to make the frame at a big price.

Selection: ATTRIBUTION

Next Best: Damut

2.55 PADDY OSBORNE MEMORIAL BROWN LAD HANDICAP HURDLE (GRADE C) 2M4F

Sir Scorpion hinted at a return to form when second in a much stronger race at the Listowel Festival last time out. Tom Mullins’ seven-year-old had dropped down the handicap to a competitive mark and looked to be travelling very well approaching the final flight. Although eventually beaten by a well treated winner, he stuck to his task in the manner of a horse that should be winning soon.

The biggest concern now is his ability to stay this longer trip as he has never been asked to race over the distance before. Should his stamina hold out, he appeals as the most likely winner.

Aspen Colorado was a leading bumper horse last year and made a winning debut over hurdles at Listowel. He lost little in defeat when just touched off at Galway last time and now makes his handicap debut off what could in time prove to be a lenient mark. The horses lack of hurdling experience is the only real negative here and if he is streetwise enough to cope with the faster pace of a handicap then he could prove far too strong for this opposition.

Selection: SIR SCORPION

Next Best: Aspen Colorado

3.30 PALMERSTOWN HOUSE ESTATE SUPPORTING KILDARE GAA HANDICAP HURDLE 2M

Portmore Lough lacks the experience of many of his rivals but appears to have been very well placed in a weak affair and is taken to score for the second time over hurdles. John Kiely’s five-year-old made a pleasing debut at Tipperary in July of last year and followed that up with a win at Kilbeggan the following month. Off the track for over a year, he needs to be fit and ready for this assignment but his canny handler is likely to have him rearing to go now.

Orchard Road has been a model of consistency since joining Gordon Elliott and added to three placed efforts when gaining his first Irish success at Clonmel last time. A 6Ibs rise seems fair in the circumstances and he looks as though he could have more to give. The fact Barry Geraghty takes the ride is also of some significance.

Selection: PORTMORE LOUGH

Next Best: Orchard Road

4.05 COURTYARD HOTEL LEIXLIP SUPPORTING KILDARE GAA (PRO/AM)INH FLAT RACE 2M

Brelade, who has been placed twice in bumpers, should be good enough to gain his first win now. The son of Presenting was just denied in a very strong contest at Leopardstown on his debut before running well at both Punchestown and Galway in subsequent starts.

The latter race was his first outing in six months so granted normal improvement he should prove difficult to beat here.

Mind’s Eye was a beaten odds-on favourite on his only start in a point-to-point when a length second of four runners. The fact he was sent off at such a short price suggests he must have been showing something at home so it may be wise to give him another chance.

Selection: BRELADE

Next Best: Minds Eye