12.25 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden Hurdle 2m

Future Prospect’s sole win of last season, and arguably her best performance, came on her reappearance so now could be a good time to catch her on her return from a break. Willie Mullins has had some disappointments over Christmas, mixed in with a fine haul of 11 winners during the four days. However, this listed-placed bumper mare has the advantage of a previous point-to-point win and this doesn’t look the deepest of maiden hurdles.

Shadys Lady won readily here in a mares’ bumper eight weeks ago and is bound to deliver another bold bid for the Declan Queally team.

Newbrook Diamond is good enough to win a maiden hurdle but didn’t show improvement last time at Punchestown. That said, he hails from a Gordon Elliott yard that can hardly do any wrong at the moment and maybe we’ll see the best of him over two miles around here.

SELECTION: FUTURE PROSPECT

Next best: Shadys Lady

12.55 Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle 2m 3f

There are obvious concerns that he hasn’t been seen since September 2024, but Herculaneum could be a well-handicapped horse and it’s worth keeping an eye on the market for any signs of encouragement on this reappearance run. The booking of talented conditional rider Michael Kenneally to take a further 7lb off his back looks a positive for his chances, and that he might be forward enough to give a decent representation of his ability. Connections have also fitted the usual blinkers.

There are three last-time-out winners for him to deal with, however. Cumberland River, who is out to take advantage of the 13lb age allowance for four-year-olds, won well at Limerick on December 27th and Carl Millar’s 2lb claim helps counteract the 8lb rise he got for that first success.

Run For Cover was raised 10lb for readily winning on the front end at Fairyhouse three weeks ago and will be dangerous if allowed the same rope here, while Boston Bobby showed a good attitude to collect at Down Royal on St Stephen’s Day and is 7lb higher now (and he won with a 4lb claimer then too, compared to having no claim today).

SELECTION: HERCULANEUM

Next best: Cumberland River

1.55 Fifty Stars At Sunnyhill Stud (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race 2m

It’s difficult to weigh up how HRI Academy Hurdle Series form stacks up in the context of a bumper, but those who finished behind Coole Cafe when she won at Navan four weeks ago gave the race a good advertisement at Leopardstown on Monday. Lynches Knock and Kilbarry Lizzy, who filled the frame behind Gavin Cromwell’s filly then, finished 1-2 at Leopardstown, while the fourth-placed Ritz Plan went on to finish second in another academy hurdle here last month.By Kodi Bear and from a flat family, it’s possible that even better could be seen from the 33/1 upset winner back in bumper company now, albeit she’s probably up against a better calibre of rival. Eoin Staples’ 7lb claim is another plus, though.

Given how the Gordon Elliott troops have been firing, Hartford is of obvious interest after costing €235,000 as a store. Gigginstown’s new recruit is by Blue Bresil and is a half-brother to Grade 1-winning chaser Handstands.

On paper, there’s definitely a case to be made for Willie Mullins’ newcomer Quiryn, who is a half-brother to Group 1 Prix du Cadran winner Mille Et Mille (among other smart siblings). The Sottsass gelding was declared to run twice at Saint-Cloud in May and June last year but never made the track.

The Rock Factor has a flat-type background and is worth keeping an eye on in the market for Emmet Mullins and Derek O’Connor.

SELECTION: COOLE CAFE

Next best: Hartford

2.25 Easyfix Equine Novice Chase 3m 1f

A trappy affair in which Flicker Of Hope might be able to defy being wrong at the weights to continue his bright start to life over fences. He showed a fine attitude to get the better of Patter Merchant over two and a half miles at Fairyhouse six weeks ago, and while that form hasn’t exactly worked out strongly, he looks sure to appreciate getting back up in trip as the winner of a valuable three-mile-one-furlong handicap hurdle at Navan last season.

This looks an excellent bit of placing with Kurasso Blue, who got the job done in smart style over Ballygunner Castle at Punchestown three and a half weeks ago. He’s officially rated 3lb ahead of Flicker Of Hope and receives 8lb from that rival. Don’t discount Mouse Morris’ Bossofthebrownies, though. His Florida Pearl Novice Chase form received a nice boost last week when Koktail Divin won easily at Leopardstown.

SELECTION: FLICKER OF HOPE

Next best: Kurasso Blue

2.55 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Beginners Chase 2m 4f

Second at the last two Dublin Racing Festivals, Gaoth Chuil brings a smart level of ability to the table and has been given a good freshen up since last seen falling at Tipperary. She hadn’t been jumping badly up until that fall four fences from home and gets another chance to open her account in this sphere, given several of her rivals have questions of their own to answer too.

Willie Mullins’ trio of runners were all soundly beaten over fences last time, though the Grade 1-placed Karamoja is clearly capable of better if getting her jumping sharper. The Great Nudie has some useful hurdles form of her own and will appreciate jumping at two-and-a-half-mile pace versus her previous two-mile chasing run (also a former point-to-point winner).

SELECTION: GAOTH CHUIL

Next best: The Great Nudie

3.30 Race And Stay Handicap Chase 2m

A fourth run in three weeks is the concern for Mount Frisco. However, he went from being beaten on St Stephen’s Day to winning at Tramore on New Year’s Day two seasons ago (and winning again at Limerick two starts later that January), so he is capable of churning out big performances off this type of schedule. Michael Kenneally gets a good tune out of him and his third to the well-handicapped Happy Dreams at Limerick nine days ago was a rock-solid showing. He’s got a lovely weight of 10st 3lb.

Battle Of Ridgeway comes here on a roll after winning at Navan three weeks ago (an excellent third at Cheltenham prior to that). He’ll need to keep progressing to overcome a 7lb hike. McLaurey is the most interesting of the J.P. McManus-owned trio on the basis of his Dublin Racing Festival-winning form last year, and he didn’t run badly at all when third in a Fairyhouse beginners’ chase three weeks ago. Rockbrook is out to defy a 7lb penalty for his win at Tramore.

SELECTION: MOUNT FRISCO

Next best: Battle Of Ridgeway