1.30 P.P. Hogan Memorial Cross Country Chase 3m 1f

Ballyboker Bridge can strike a blow for the older generation and add to the victories he recorded in this race in 2015 and 2016. The 14-year-old’s three wins on the racecourse have all come over this cross country course and he showed that he remained in fine heart over this course and distance a few months ago when chasing home Neverushacon.

A similar effort here could see him take beating. Shady Operator is an interesting recruit to this sphere. He was a decent sort over hurdles and fences for Joseph O’Brien and he has run respectably in useful handicaps on his first two starts for this yard. A bold showing from him looks entirely likely.

SELECTION: BALLYBOKER BRIDGE

Next best: Shady Operator

2.00 I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Novice Hurdle (Listed) 2m 120yds

A race of this stature looks to be within the reach of Thedevilscoachman. He won a maiden hurdle at Cork in good style earlier in the season and didn’t run at all badly at Grade 1 level next time before then winning a useful rated novice hurdle at Navan a couple of weeks ago. There should be more to come from him and he is marginally preferred to Power Of Pause.

The latter might prefer further having won his maiden hurdle over 2m 3f but his third to Dreal Deal in a Grade 2 here last month and a course and distance success in December points to his prowess over this distance. He is rated just a pound behind the selection.

Fire Attack would be very interesting if he got back to the form that saw him finish second to Fakiera in a Navan Grade 3 on his hurdling debut back in November.

SELECTION: THEDEVILSCOACHMAN

Next best: Power Of Pause

2.30 Happy Birthday Sarah Ann Madden Maiden Hurdle (Div I) 2m 4f

Lifetime Ambition is more than good enough to win a maiden hurdle and his efforts this season make him the one to beat. He comes here off a third to Frere Tuck in a 2m maiden hurdle at this track last month and that alone would give him a chance while he should improve for the step up to this trip having finished second to Fighter Allen and Clondaw Secret in maiden hurdles at this trip earlier in the season.

This race contains quite a few interesting prospects from the point-to-point field and these include Gold Cup Bailly who looked a nice type when making a winning debut at Tattersalls two months ago.

Casey West slipped up in the closing stage of his point having shown plenty up the point of his departure. He is another to keep in mind as is the useful mare Patty D whose form entitles her to challenge for a place in the frame.

SELECTION: LIFETIME AMBITION

Next best: Gold Cup Bailly

3.00 Happy Birthday Sarah Ann Madden Maiden Hurdle (Div II) 2m 4f

This looks a good opportunity for Jungle Boogie to make a winning start over hurdles. He got his career on the track off to quite a bright start when he won a Clonmel bumper back in mid-November. The second and third from that race have yet to win but have subsequently performed well in defeat and this gelding appeals as one that should make a decent jumper. He should also relish moving up to this trip.

Moonshot’s penultimate third to Keskonrisk at Fairyhouse in late November is a decent effort in the context of this race and this 104-rated mare looks quite capable of reaching the frame.

SELECTION: JUNGLE BOOGIE

Next best: Moonshot

3.30 David Trundley Artist At Punchestown Handicap Hurdle 3m

Shar Whats Therush should be able to play a leading role here. He has shown up well against improving types on both his starts this season, chasing home Low Lie The Fields at Limerick over Christmas before then being beaten just over 4l into third by Ballyshannon Rose at Fairyhouse last month.

Those efforts entitle him to make his mark in a race such as this and he can deal with Smiths Girl. She did offer some encouragement in maidens and also when fourth to Klassy Kay here last month, a run which suggested that she could progress further when moving up to this trip.

SELECTION: SHAR WHATS THERUSH

Next best: Smiths Girl

4.00 Punchestown Festival Of A Different Colour Rated Novice Chase 1m 7f 170yds

A marked drop in class can see Dinny Lacey add to his tally. He contested a Grade 3 won by Envoi Allen last time, running quite a respectable race in third, and previously he won a useful rated novice chase at Limerick from the subsequent winner Stormy Judge.

This 133-rated gelding makes plenty of appeal back in rated company and he can deal with the third posed by Duc D’Allier who returned from over two and a half years off the track to make a winning debut in a rated novice chase at Fairyhouse last month.

SELECTION: DINNY LACEY

Next best: Duc D’Allier

4.30 Punchestown Grand National Trial Handicp Chase (Grade B) 3m 4f

Se Mo Laoch is a thorough stayer who looks well equipped for the demands of this race. He has winning form at up to three-and-a-quarter-miles so stamina is not a concern for him and he has also run many fine races at this track. In addition he has a light weight to aid his cause, wears first-time blinkers and comes here off an excellent comeback second to Unexpected Depth in a 3m handicap hurdle at this track two months ago.

He is preferred to The Big Dog who would look to have an excellent chance on his third to Longhouse Poet here on New Year’s Eve when he finished just 1½l behind Run Wild Fred who franked the form with an excellent second in the Thyestes Chase next time. Out Sam showed up well in the Cork National earlier in the season and also ran respectably in a cross country race at Cheltenham. Those runs suggest he could take a hand in the finish

SELECTION: SE MO LAOCH

Next best: The Big Dog

5.00 Happy Valentines Day (Pro/Am) Flat Race 2m

Starman looks a likely contender as he represents the all conquering alliance of Willie Mullins and his son Patrick. This gelding is from one of the initial crops of his Group 2-winning and Group 1-placed sire while he is a half-brother to the yard’s formerly top-class performer and Cheltenham Festival heroine Laurina.

A likely danger is sure to be Mylestown Upper who is out of a winning jumper who has already produced a winning jumper in France.

Gigolo Dai Dai is surely better than he showed on his debut in a maiden hurdle a couple of months ago and could be another to keep in mind.

SELECTION: STARMAN

Next best: Gigolo Dai Dai