REST OF THE CARD

12.25 LADIES FREE ADMISSION ON NEW YEAR’S EVE RATED NOVICE HURDLE 2M

Henry de Bromhead fields a strong challenge here with impressive Tipperary winner Conrad Hastings and Lion In His Heart, who could quite possibly have finished second to Death Duty in a Grade 3 novice at Navan recently but for a fall two out. The lack of a recent run probably found Sound Money out at Gowran Park recently, Edward O’Grady’s novice should have a good bit of improvement in him and he gets the vote in a tight contest.

Selection: SOUND MONEY

Next best: Lion In His Heart

12.55 BUY YOUR 2017 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP MAIDEN HURDLE 2M 4F

Turcagua was unable to justify favouritism on his comeback here last month over 2m 6f but is entitled to come on for that experience and the drop back in trip should suit. Champagne Classic looked a smart prospect when powering clear to beat an odds-on shot in a 2m 4f Fairyhouse bumper last month and, although he may ideally want further over hurdles in time, he could prove hard to beat here. Classy flat mare Toe The Line would be a popular success for the Lillingston family, who sponsor the beginners’ chase on the card, and she can be expected to step up on her recent hurdles debut effort now upped in trip.

Selection: CHAMPAGNE CLASSIC

Next best: Toe The Line

1.30 FOLLOW US ON FACEBOOK AND TWITTER HANDICAP HURDLE 2M 4F

The ground was probably plenty soft enough for Lasoscar when finishing second over 2m 6f here last month and, back to his optimum trip and on better ground, could pick up the winning thread here. Dawerann was a never-nearer fourth over 2m 1f at Clonmel on Thursday, when starting favourite, having previously chased home an improving sort at Navan, and his quick return appears significant with the longer trip certain to suit.

Selection: LASOSCAR

Next best: Dawerann

2.35 ALAN LILLINGSTON MEMORIAL BEGINNERS CHASE 2M

Barry Connell looks to have a promising bunch of novice chasers this season and Blue Hell looks very interesting here on his switch to fences, having attained a hurdles rating of 146 when winning a valuable Fairyhouse handicap over a year ago. Absent since the County Hurdle where he reportedly bled, apparently he has been pleasing connections and runs well fresh. Gangster wasn’t too far behind the selection over hurdles and warrants plenty of respect, while Woodland Opera can be expected to come on considerably for his debut chase run here last month in a race working out well.

Selection: BLUE HELL

Next best: Gangster

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HANDICAP CHASE

3M 1F 100YDS

Whatareudoingtome can continue where he left off in the spring when decisively winning handicaps over this trip at Gowran Park and Wexford. Those wins were on soft and heavy but Philip Dempsey’s charge has winning hurdles form on yielding so that is of no great concern.

He would need to win this in order to make the cut for the Paddy Power. Principal danger could come from Tony Martin’s White Arm, also in the J.P. McManus silks, who should come on considerably for his recent comeback run at Fairyhouse.

The bottom-weight Tiger Sam, an early faller last time but who had looked progressive when scoring at Down Royal before that, rates another threat.

Selection: WHATAREUDOINGTOME

Next best: White Arm

3.40 OLD HOUSE, KILL (PRO/AM) FLAT RACE 2M

A race which Willie Mullins has dominated in recent years, with Black Hercules being among his winners. The champion trainer is represented here by the debutant Come To Me, €44,000 half-brother to the talented hurdler/chaser Sweet My Lord, for whom the market should be a good indicator.

Bumper form is best represented by Fairyhouse second Geneva Barracks, and by Joseph O’Brien’s Aeglos, second at Limerick in June when starting odds-on. Burren Life was unlucky not to win his sole point at Belharbour and is one to watch for in the market, along with Line Out, a half-brother to Toe The Line and racing in the Lillingston family silks.

Selection: COME TO ME

Next best: Line Out