Kevin Blake

12:30 IRISH STALLIONS FARMS EBF BEGINNERS CHASE 2M 4F

The Colm Murphy-trained Empire Of Dirt is unlikely to be a star in the making but he has shown enough in his two completed starts over fences to suggest that he can make the best of what is a drop in class. He has bumped into some potentially high-class rivals on those occasions and doesn’t appear to have a rival of that calibre to deal with here, so with conditions to suit, it will be a shade disappointing if he fails to collect. A solid alternative to him is the Noel Meade-trained Down Ace.

Selection: EMPIRE OF DIRT

Next Best: Down Ace

1:00 ADAM & ANN ARMSTRONG MEMORIAL HANDICAP CHASE (0-95) 2M 4F

It is hard to escape just how modest this contest is and a chance is taken on the Harry Smyth-trained Personal Shopper. The seven-year-old has yet to win in 12 starts over fences but she has been running well in stronger handicaps than this of late, which is more than can be said for most of her rivals. Conditions will suit and she won’t get many better chances to add to her tally than this. Of the rest, the Stephen McConville-trained Kerrib Castle is less exposed than most in handicap chases and may be worth a chance.

Selection: PERSONAL SHOPPER

Next Best: Kerrib Castle

1:30 SILKS @DOWNROYAL HUNTERS CHASE 2M 6F

The Enda Bolger-trained On The Fringe is one of the best hunter chasers in the country and this looks to be a good opportunity for him to make a winning return to action. A three-time winner of the Champion Hunters Chase at the Punchestown Festival, he looked better than ever last season and is likely to take high rank in his division this season. Of the newcomers to this division, the Shark Hanlon-trained Luska Lad warrants respect given he was rated 157 over hurdles at the height of his powers in 2011.

Selection: ON THE FRINGE

Next Best: Luska Lad

2:00 I.N.H. STALLION OWNERS EBF MAIDEN HURDLE 2M 4F

Tony Martin looks to have strong prospects of taking this maiden with Delvin Road. The six-year-old made a subtly promising racecourse debut in a maiden hurdle at Tipperary in October and has since shown improved form in two starts in bumpers. Now that he returns to hurdling and steps up in trip, he could well be up to breaking his maiden. A solid alternative to the selection is the Colm Murphy-trained Ryansbrook, with the son of Alderbrook being likely to improve for this longer trip.

Selection: DELVIN ROAD

Next Best: Ryansbrook

2:30 DARK HORSE WINE BAR MAIDEN HURDLE 2M

A weak maiden hurdle and a good opportunity for the Noel Meade-trained Bronco Bill to get off the mark. The four-year-old showed significant improvement when finishing fifth in a maiden hurdle at Wexford last time and, if he can improve again from that experience, that should be enough to win this. His most intriguing rival is unquestionably the Gordon Elliott-trained Sandusky, an 86-rated performer on the flat that hasn’t been seen on a racecourse since October 2012.

Selection: BRONCO BILL

Next Best: Sandusky

3:00 MARTINSTOWN OPPORTUNITY HANDICAP HURDLE (80-102) 2M

Competitive fare and the Denis Cullen-trained Whipper’s Boy is given the nod. The four-year-old got off the mark over hurdles in a maiden at Wexford in October and didn’t get much luck in running in a handicap hurdle at Punchestown last time. This is a weaker contest and an improved effort from him would not surprise. One that is potentially well handicapped and likely to be a big price is the Neil McKnight-trained Bale O’Shea.

Selection: WHIPPER’S BOY

Next Best: Bale O’Shea

3:30 TWEET WITH #DOWNROYAL (PRO/AM) FLAT RACE 2M

Perhaps an above-average bumper for this fixture and the most interesting contender is without doubt the Gordon Elliott-trained Delegate. He arrived at Fairyhouse for his debut last month with a massive home reputation, but he could only finish a disappointing fourth on the day. He seems sure to improve from that and can gain compensation for his supporters in this contest. The pick of his rivals is the Tony Martin-trained No Dice, with the five-year-old having shaped nicely on his first start for Martin in a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse last time.

Selection: DELEGATE

Next Best: No Dice