12.40 JOIN NAVAN MEMBERS 2016 HANDICAP HURDLE 2M7F

Fennis Moll showed real battling qualities to win her most recent start over fences at Stratford and could be nicely treated back over hurdles. Shark Hanlon’s six-year-old was well supported on that occasion and looks a horse on the upgrade. Returned to the smaller obstacles here and racing off bottom weight, she should relish the uphill finish and make it difficult for anything to pass her late on. Chamonix was useful on the level and while it has taken time for him to reproduce his best over flights, his latest few efforts have been encouraging. With Barry Geraghty taking the ride, the McManus runner is clearly expected to put his best foot forward and he can go close.

SELECTION: FENNIS MOLL

Next Best: Chamonix

1.10 AT THE RACES ‘FOR AUCTION’ NOVICE HURDLE 2M

Tycoon Prince was one of the leading bumper horses in Ireland last season and got the job done with the minimum of fuss on his recent hurdling debut at Punchestown. Gordon Elliott’s five-year-old should take high rank in the novice division over the coming months and it will be disappointing if his colours are lowered at this stage. Thomas Hobson represents the powerful Willie Mullins camp and the fact he is the stable’s favoured runner must be respected. Bought for big money after winning the November Handicap at Doncaster, the horse was slow to come to hand and fell on his hurdling debut at Listowel. However, his win last time at Galway was encouraging and he can make his presence felt.

SELECTION: TYCOON PRINCE

Next Best: Thomas Hobson

1.40 LISMULLEN HURDLE (GRADE 2) 2M4F

Champion Hurdle second Arctic Fire steps up in trip for this race and should be good enough to start his season with a win. Unlucky not to score over this distance at Aintree in the spring, he should put that unfortunate experience to right here. While the Mullins runner is undoubtedly quirky and may prefer to be held up in a fast run race, his class should see him home despite not having optimum conditions. Monksland is a course and distance winner and has high class form to boost. Noel Meade’s runner is a proper stayer but has the pace for 2m4f and if he is ready for his seasonal debut then he can make the selection fight. Any further rain would aid his cause as a slog in the mud may suit him better than Arctic Fire.

SELECTION: ARCTIC FIRE

Next Best: Monksland

2.15 ST JOHANN SKI RESORT TIROL AUSTRIA HANDICAP HURDLE 2M

Baroque Style has caught the eye on both starts since joining Gordon Elliott, travelling well over longer trips before failing to find much late on. He had looked to be crying out for a drop to the minimum distance on a stiff track and that fact hasn’t escaped his shrewd handler. Already placed at the Co Meath venue for his previous stable, the nine-year-old has the added attraction of Jack Kennedy’s 5lb claim to aid his cause. Mighty Concorde is the potential dark horse having been pitched straight into handicap company after just the three hurdle starts. Jim Culloty has his string firing again and this well regarded former bumper performer could have been let in lightly.

SELECTION: BAROQUE STYLE

Next Best: Mighty Concorde

2.50 THETOTE.COM FORTRIA CHASE (GRADE 2)2M

Special Tiara is the class act in this contest and should win if ready for his seasonal return. Henry de Bromhead has booked Barry Geraghty for the eight-year-old who finished last season with a Grade 1 win at Sandown. In a division that lacks a potential star, Special Tiara has serious claims of being a Champion Chase contender this season, so even at less than peak fitness he should be able to see off this field. Twinlight, last year’s victor, is almost certainly laid out for a repeat bid and is respected. He may be more forward than the de Bromhead runner and will be right there at the finish.

SELECTION: SPECIAL TIARA

Next Best: Twinlight

3.25 CRYSTALSKI.IE EUROPEAN BREEDERS FUND CHASE 2M

Kitten Rock was far and away the best of these over flights, beaten less than 10 lengths in the Champion Hurdle last March. Although absent since the Festival, Edward O’Grady is sure to have his horse well schooled and he is one of the more exciting types to go chasing this winter. A previous course and distance winner, the steep climb holds no fears for the McManus runner and he can take this race on his way to bigger and better things later in the campaign. Point-to-point winner Sizing Titanium has crucial fencing experience and is also a winner at the track. His novice hurdling stint last season was clearly just marking time for a career for the larger obstacles and he will be an interesting opponent.

SELECTION: KITTEN ROCK

Next Best: Sizing Titanium

4.00 RACING AGAIN TROYTOWN DAY 22ND NOVEMBER (PRO/AM) INH FLAT RACE 2M

Robin Thyme can take this concluding bumper for the local Noel Meade stable. Although possibly not a superstar on the evidence of three starts to date, he faces nothing of obvious dark horse potential and if he can reproduce his most recent run it may be sufficient. Nina Carberry takes the ride and her presence adds to the confidence behind the local runner. The Crawford yard always produce a couple of decent bumper performers each season and their runner Cherry Bomb is worth a second look. Her dam has already produced a winner and she gets all the allowances. She won’t need to be anything special to go very close.

SELECTION: ROBIN THYME

Next Best: Cherry Bomb