12.20 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Hurdle 2m

A really tricky affair to kick off proceedings. Gavin Cromwell’s string had been a little quiet but were responsible for three winners in six days last week (before Final Orders adding to his tally at Cheltenham on Friday), so that could bode well for the claims of Serienmond here. He failed to give his running when last seen at Down Royal six weeks ago but has had a chance to freshen since. He’d been running some solid races - usually in better company than this - prior to that outing. He’s 1lb lower than the mark off which he finished third in a valuable Fairyhouse handicap hurdle last Easter, so he can be competitive if back to his best.

There are two slight questions around Maidenstreetprince, in that he hasn’t been seen since August and has been chasing lately, but he’s worthy of consideration on the basis of his smartest efforts. Bossing It isn’t out of it if leaving behind her last effort either.

SELECTION: SERIENMOND

Next best: Maidenstreetprince

12.50 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f

San Hilario was unfortunate to bump into a well-handicapped Billy Lee Swagger at Punchestown a fortnight ago, and he might gain compensation here. He’s up 3lb but is still only a four-year-old so might have another bit of progression in him, and he hails from a top outfit in flying form.

Give Him A Chance, a stablemate of Billy Lee Swagger, ran a cracker when second at Cheltenham four weeks ago, though he may not want conditions to be bottomless. He needs to step up again but has been improving. Perhaps connections of Collaborative are working back from something like Limerick at Christmas, given he went close there last December, but he remains a dangerous player if delivering his ‘A’ game. From The Ashes ran well on his last start over hurdles at Gowran and is worth keeping an eye on, even if he might prefer further.

SELECTION: SAN HILARIO

Next best: Give Him A Chance

1.20 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Hurdle 3m 1f

A tough sort will be required for staying this far on testing ground, and Jeriko De Baune fits that criteria. A 6lb rise for winning at Clonmel five and a half weeks ago means he’ll need to take another step forward now, but he is proven to be at his best over this type of trip on slow ground, and he did run well on his only previous handicap appearance here last season. Themanintheboots was a dominant winner over two and a half miles here at the Navan Racing Festival, and he’s gone up 10lb for that victory under today’s rider James Smith.

There did appear to be a bit of a bias towards front runners on that card, though, and he took full advantage of that. The longer trip will have to help eke out the improvement required to offset the penalty.

SELECTION: JERIKO DE BAUNE

Next best: Themanintheboots

1.50 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Chase 2m

Provided it hasn’t left a mark on him as he attempts to back up four weeks later, Cheltenham November Meeting third Battle Of Ridgeway should be in the thick of things again for Martin Hassett. Having been successfully tried over further, it now looks like he’s just as effective down at the minimum trip and he’s still capable of being competitive off his mark, despite perhaps not having loads of wriggle room with the handicapper.

May Call You Back has been winning over hurdles and fences lately, and Willie Mullins now fits a hood for the first time in her bid for a hat-trick.

Splashing Out is 5lb higher than when winning at Down Royal last time and is worthy of shortlist inclusion, though this is a very trappy race where cases can be made for a host of them.

SELECTION: BATTLE OF RIDGEWAY

Next best: Splashing Out

2.25 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Chase 2m 4f 120yd

Not dissimilar to Battle Of Ridgeway, Cheerful Chap is attempting to go two places better than a fine showing in defeat at Cheltenham in November and gets the vote to bag a first win since April 2024. With the exception of when pulling up at Kilbeggan in June with some skin scrapes, he hasn’t been out of the first three on all seven chasing starts after his debut over fences, so he looks a reliable enough option. It’s possible this trip could be a good fit for him.

Recent Clonmel winner Bridie’s Beau shot up 9lb for winning at Clonmel 12 days ago, but he’s totally unexposed as a chaser (just four runs in this sphere) and he looks to be on the up. Soloman Lane shaped as though he’d improve for the run when fourth at Fairyhouse after a layoff a fortnight ago. He’s got each-way claims.

SELECTION: CHEERFUL CHAP

Next best: Bridie’s Beau

3.00 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap Chase 3m

Having won two of his last three handicap starts at this track, Verdant Place could be a different proposition than was the case on his seasonal reappearance in the Porterstown Chase a fortnight ago. Pat Foley’s stayer got behind at Fairyhouse and could never really get on terms, but that run should bring him forward and perhaps this pot could have been a natural target for him, given his liking for Navan.

He’s got a fair deal of experience but isn’t over the hill as a seven-year-old and will stay well.

At the complete opposite end of the weights, Duffys Getaway (2lb out of the handicap) isn’t a frequent winner but three miles on slow ground should be right up his street - and he’s entitled to come forward from his comeback over hurdles at Fairyhouse three weeks ago.

SELECTION: VERDANT PLACE

Next best: Duffys Getaway

3.35 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Future Champions INH Flat Race (Listed) 2m

A bumper with a high-class roll of honour, and one that Gordon Elliott tends to dominate. Keep Him Company might be the answer to providing Cullentra with a ninth win in the space of 10 runnings The £220,000 point-to-point recruit made a winning stable debut at Fairyhouse at the expense of two stablemates 15 days ago, though it is difficult to weigh up what he achieved and what today’s rival from the same yard, Panjandrum, did when winning at Clonmel last month. The market will be well worth watching. The fact Josh Williamson gets off Keep Him Company to ride Panjandrum is an interesting factor for the latter.

All five runners are last-time-out bumper winners, and Passenger is a lively player for Dermot Weld, having beaten a subsequent bumper winner when striking at the third attempt at Cork in August.

The ground will be an unknown for the Invincible Spirit gelding, as it will for smart Thurles winner Press The Button, who commands respect. Oh My Word caused a 33/1 upset at the Navan Racing Festival and likely must step up again.

SELECTION: KEEP HIM COMPANY

Next best: Passenger