Ryan McElligott

2.10 IRISH RACING WRITERS KINGSFURZE NOVICE HURDLE (LISTED) 2M

Indian Monsoon, who wears a visor over hurdles for the first time, could be the answer. This gelding was an early casualty at Thurles last time but before that he produced a smart display in a rated novice hurdle at Cork when easily beating the useful handicapper Veinard by 7l. That effort suggested that he would be more than good enough to hold his own at a higher level. Minella Till Dawn looked a nice prospect when he won a Fairyhouse maiden in December, accounting for several subsequent winners. He still looked green that day and he will certainly progress further but is coming back in trip from 2m 4f. Outspoken won over this course and distance last time and his previous second to Bunk Off Early represents a strong piece of form. If Riven Light can improve his jumping he too could be involved.

Selection: INDIAN MONSOON

Next best: Minella Till Dawn

2.40 HOSPITALITY AT NAAS RACECOURSE BEGINNERS CHASE 2M

This is a most straightforward opportunity for Townshend. A capable hurdler, he started off over fences with a satisfactory 6l-second to Ballyoisin in a 2m 1f beginners’ event at Fairyhouse two months ago. There is nothing of that one’s quality in the line up and it will be a major surprise if this six-year-old meets with defeat. Winning hurdler The Irregular was making a respectable debut over fences when falling at the last in a beginners’ event won by Don’t Touch It at Thurles last month. He looks the most likely candidate to chase home the favourite.

Selection: TOWNSHEND

Next best: The Irregular

3.15 NAAS SUPPORTERS HANDICAP HURDLE 2M 3F

Moores Road was in excellent heart over the Christmas period and, if he can maintain that form on his first start for two months, he should mount a strong challenge. He won a 2m 4f Limerick handicap on his penultimate outing and then followed-up over that trip at Cork where he defeated the progressive Scoir Mear by ½l. Those two victories have earned him a 15lbs rise in the weights but he should again go well off his light weight. That’s A Wrap is the the one to beat. He won three handicaps on the spin before the New Year and is 31lbs higher in the ratings. However, his latest second to the classy Presenting Percy showed that he continues to progress. The reliable Carrig Cathal is 3lbs better off with That’s A Wrap for a near 5l beating when they last met. Thirsty Work was most disappointing last time but if that run is discarded he would warrant the utmost respect.

Selection: MOORES ROAD

Next best: That’s A Wrap

3.45 NAAS DIRECTORS PLATE NOVICE CHASE (GRADE 3) 2M 4F

He has work to do on ratings but Oscar Knight could have an appreciably stronger chance than official figures imply. The improving eight-year-old turns out for the first time since finishing an excellent third to Noble Endeavor in the Paddy Power Chase at Christmas. Prior to that he defeated Ball D’Arc by an easy 6½l in a decent Navan handicap over this trip. He is just 4lbs worse off with Ball D’Arc, who has since notched up a Grade 2 triumph and a valuable handicap success at Fairyhouse. Ball D’Arc has enjoyed a fine season and looks the biggest danger to Oscar Knight with the return to this trip unlikely to present him with any difficulties. The top-rated runner in the field is Gangster and his penultimate second to Bleu Et Rouge was a commendable effort. He didn’t seem to match that form behind Yorkhill next time and he is deserted by Bryan Cooper.

Selection: OSCAR KNIGHT

Next best: Ball D’Arc

4.20 MARTINSTOWN OPPORTUNITY MAIDEN HURDLE 2M 3F

Never Off Duty can build on his promising racecourse debut at this track a fortnight ago when the five-year-old was beaten just over 3l into third by Morgan. He should be able to progress from that initial racecourse outing and the longer trip of this race looks sure to suit the Beneficial gelding who won a point-to-point at Dromahane in late December. Bosco Di Alco looks his biggest danger. The latter is a good ground bumper winner and there has been promise in a couple of his maiden hurdle outings but ground as testing as this represents an unknown for him.

Selection: NEVER OFF DUTY

Next best: Bosco Di Alco

4.50 DOWNLOAD THE LADBROKES EXCHANGE APP LEINSTER NATIONAL HANDICAP CHASE (GRADE A) 3M

Bonny Kate has posted three good efforts in defeat this season and it wouldn’t surprise if she now got her turn. The testing ground will be no problem for this mare who took third behind Baie Des Iles in the National Trial at Punchestown last month when she was the only one to make a race of it with the winner. That run followed her honourable third in the Thyestes and her campaign began with an excellent third to Empire Of Dirt in the Troytown. The ground will be appreciably slower than when what she encountered in the Thyestes and that could enable her to turn the tables on Ucello Conti who ran so well to finish a 7½l second to Champagne West that day. Sambremont was runner-up in the National Trial at Punchestown he should again be thereabouts along with Space Cadet. The latter may enjoy returning to this trip following his respectable second to the easy winner Edwulf in a novice handicap chase here last month.

Selection: BONNY KATE

Next best: Ucello Conti

5.20 TIPPER ROAD MARES (PRO/AM) FLAT RACE 2M

Mystic Theatre delivered on the promise of her two wins in the point-to-point field by making a successful debut in a Fairyhouse bumper in late January where she looked a potentially smart sort in defeating Gracemount by 3l. There should be more to come from her following that initial outing and she showed enough that day to indicate that she was good enough for a winner’s event. It wouldn’t surprise if she was given most to do by the newcomer Heritage Quay. The last-named is an own-sister to a number of winners and, while she has to contend with inexperience, she is getting a significant weight concession from most of her rivals.

Selection: MYSTIC THEATRE

Next best: Heritage Quay