12.40 20% OFF FESTIVAL TICKETS BEGINNERS CHASE 2M 6F 100YDS

Roxboro Road is a hopeful choice to build on his recent comeback at Tramore. On that occasion, the lightly raced six-year-old was beaten 20l into fourth by Crazyheart and he will have to better that effort here, but it was his first run since May, so he is entitled to progress.

Furthermore, it was also his first outing over fences and this marked step up in distance could be another positive.

He is chosen ahead of Smithscorner who has been running well in handicap hurdles for the last few months and he also has the benefit of previous chasing experience.

Selection: ROXBORO ROAD

Next Best: Smithscorner

1.15 TOTAL EVENT RENTAL NOVICE CHASE (GRADE 3) 2M 4F

He has shaped up nicely on his two starts since coming to Ireland and A Plus Tard can make his notable weight for age allowance tell.

The five-year-old is getting upwards of 7lbs from his rivals, and he looked like one that could hold his own in this company when he progressed from a pleasing Irish debut at Gowran to defeat Duc Des Genievres in a 2m3f beginners’ chase at Naas last month.

The latter was well held in a Limerick Grade 1 last time, but he represents a formidable threat based on his previous third to Delta Work and Le Richebourg in the Drinmore Novice Chase.

Gun Digger commands respect as he doesn’t have that much to find with the selection from their meeting at Gowran.

Selection: A PLUS TARD

Next Best: Jetz

1.45 ADARE MANOR OPPORTUNITY HANDICAP CHASE (0-116) 2M 4F

Peacocks Secret might be able to defy top weight as he looks to bounce back from a fall at Clonmel a month ago. Prior to that the seven-year-old had been in good form, notching up wins in a Wexford beginners’ chase and a handicap at Naas.

He is 6lbs higher in the weights as a result of that Naas victory, but his revised mark gives him a chance of further success. He might have most to fear from the bottom-weight, Well Tom, who is almost a stone higher than when he won a 2m7f handicap chase at Galway in October. A bad mistake at the second last in a 2m handicap chase on New Year’s Eve didn’t help his cause and previously he showed up well to chase home the subsequent winner Punches Cross.

Selection: PEACOCKS SECRET

Next Best: Well Tom

2.20 PUNCHESTOWN AMATEUR NATIONAL (Q.R.) HANDICAP CHASE 3M 1F 100YDS

A speculative vote goes to Hugo ‘n Taz. He will have to improve on his recent effort against Getaway Kid at Down Royal but he could easily do so. Firstly, the step up to this trip will work in his favour and he has been fitted with cheekpieces for the first time.

Furthermore, a look at his recent efforts shows that he ran with considerable credit to finish sixth to Out Sam in the 3m4f Cork National a couple of months ago and a similar showing in a less demanding race would entitle him to run well.

Se Mo Laoch defeated Snugsborough Hall by 1¾l over this course and distance and he might still confirm that form despite being 4lbs worse off. Undressed didn’t run any race at Limerick over Christmas having previously shaped with promise in the Porterstown Chase.

Selection: HUGO ‘N TAZ

Next Best: Se Mo Laoch

2.50 SKY BET MOSCOW FLYER NOVICE HURDLE (GRADE 2) 2M

Buildmeupbuttercup made a pleasing start over hurdles when defeating a big field to win a 2m maiden at Navan a month ago. She appeals as one that could improve appreciably as a result of that initial outing over timber, and she is getting a notable weight concession off her five rivals.

She is preferred to Felix Desjy who hasn’t gone on from a maiden hurdle success at Galway in October but he offered signs of encouragement at Limerick last time when he shaped up well from the front only for his stamina to ebb away in the closing stages of a 2m4f contest.

Swordsman looked a nice prospect when he won at Fairyhouse on New Years Day but that was over 2m 4f, this shorter trip could catch him out.

Selection: BUILDMEUPBUTTERCUP

Next Best: Felix Desjy

3.20 SPORTINGLIFE.COM MAIDEN HURDLE 2M

On his debut for Gordon Elliott at Leopardstown, Vision D’honneur ran an encouraging race to be beaten just under 6l into fourth by Klassical Dream.

Evidently a strong showing was expected that day as he went off a well-backed favourite, and he showed enough to suggest that he shouldn’t have any trouble making his mark in a maiden this season.

He gets the vote ahead of Elixir D’Ainay who is running for the first time on Irish soil.

Selection: VISION D’HONNEUR

Next Best: Elixir D’ainay

3.50 LEINSTER LEADER MARES HANDICAP HURDLE 2M 4F 40YDS

Tara Dylan could defy top weight. Beaten by My Sister Sarah at Fairyhouse last week, she previously ran quite well over 2m at Leopardstown when she was fourth to Try Again and she had the subsequent winner Mystique Heights behind. That form entitles her to line up with a leading chance and she ran very well over this trip last season.

Tara Dylan can see off Stucker Hill, whose recent wins at this track and Tramore have earned her an 18lb hike in the ratings.

Selection: TARA DYLAN

Next Best: Stucker Hill