1:30 LAWLOR’S HOTEL

NOVICE HURDLE

(GRADE 1) 2M 4F

Couleur France: The winner of two of his eight starts over hurdles, he wasn’t beaten all that far behind No More Heroes and Shaneshill at Navan last time, but will need to improve to go close.

Free Expression: Unbeaten in a point-to-point, bumper and two starts over hurdles, he impressed when winning a Grade 2 novice hurdle at Navan last time. Clearly progressing, he has to be considered a contender.

Golden Boot: A three-race maiden over hurdles and is out of his depth in this company.

Killer Crow: Won two of his three starts in bumpers and got the better of two subsequent winners in a maiden hurdle at Naas last time. A smart prospect, but Bryan Cooper prefers Tell Us More.

On Impulse: Won a bumper at Thurles for Harry Kelly last season and made a winning start for his new trainer in a maiden hurdle at Punchestown last month. He created quite a good impression on that occasion and while this is stronger company, he shouldn’t be ruled out.

Tell Us More: Created a massive impression in winning a point-to-point, bumper and maiden hurdle, stamping himself as one of the most promising horses in training. This represents a big step up in class for him, but he can be expected to take it in his stride.

Mckinley: Has won three of his seven starts over hurdles, including a Grade 3 novice contest at Navan in November, but was pulled up after being struck into at Leopardstown last week. Clearly recovered from that quickly and shouldn’t be ruled out.

Verdict

TELL US MORE is an exceptional prospect and while he faces a potent challenger in Free Expression, he is selected to maintain his unbeaten record prior to going on to even better things.

REST OF CARD

12:30 ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP AT NAAS MAIDEN HURDLE 2M 3F

This is an excellent opportunity for the Gordon Elliott-trained Fort Smith to get off the mark at the ninth time of asking over hurdles. The six-year-old won a bumper at Ballinrobe in May and while he has acquitted himself very well in stronger company than this, including when a close third to Windsor Park at Leopardstown on Monday, he has become disappointing. If he fails to win here, he will be difficult to support in any maiden in future. The best of the rest looks to be Lisclogher Lad.

Selection: FORT SMITH

Next Best: Lisclogher Lad

1:00 IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF NOVICE CHASE 2M

Previous winners of this race include Flemenstar and War Of Attrition and this year’s contest brings together some interesting sorts. Perhaps the best prospect in the race is the only previous winner over fences, the Henry de Bromhead-trained Sizing Granite. The seven-year-old got the better of the subsequent two-time Grade 1 winner over hurdles Lieutenant Colonel on what was both their chasing debuts at Naas in November, but he was beaten when unseating his rider at the third-last fence in a Grade 2 novice chase at Punchestown last time. This is a drop in class and while he has a penalty to shoulder, he may have the class to overcome it. The main danger to him is the Willie Mullins-trained Blood Cotil.

Selection: SIZING GRANITE

Next Best: Blood Cotil

2:00 PANORAMIC RESTAURANT AT NAAS HANDICAP CHASE 2M

Competitive fare and the Robert Tyner-trained Leap Dearg could well be progressive enough to complete his hat-trick. The seven-year-old has really come alive since entering handicaps, winning over this course and distance and at Clonmel. While he has gone up a total of 26lb, he seems to be improving rapidly and could well be up to winning again. Of the remainder, the Denis Hogan-trained Luke’s Benefit has won two of the last three renewals of this race and with him having dropped to a 1lb lower mark than he won off last year, he is worth considering.

Selection: LEAP DEARG

Next Best: Luke’s Benefit

2:30 IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF MARES BEGINNERS CHASE 2M 3F

An intriguing mares’ maiden chase and the Willie Mullins-trained Florishwells D’Ete looks to be the one to beat. The five-year-old is rated 123 over hurdles made a satisfactory chasing debut in a novice chase at Navan last month. She seems sure to improve from that and will be tough to beat. Without doubt her most interesting rival is the Robert Tyner-trainer Whatwillwecallher. The 10-year-old won a point-to-point, three bumpers and a maiden hurdle prior to presumably being injured after her last outing in November 2011 and it is surprisingly to see a mare of her age returning to the track after such a long absence. She looked a high-class prospect when last seen and it will be interesting to see if she attracts market support.

Selection: FLORISHWELLS D’ETE

Next Best: Whatwillwecallher

3:05 MARTINSTOWN OPPORTUNITY HANDICAP HURDLE 2M

Another tricky handicap and the Tim Doyle-trained Moreece is given the nod. The six-year-old has run well in his last two starts and he can deservedly get off the mark slightly less competitive contest. Of his rivals, the Martin Brassil-trained All The Sevens has hinted at promise on occasion and is worth watching in the market.

Selection: MOREECE

Next Best: All The Sevens

3:35 GO RACING IN KILDARE (PRO/AM) FLAT RACE 2M

These four-year-old bumpers early in the season are often fierce betting heats and the market will ultimately prove to be the best guide to what is likely to transpire on the track. However, Tom Taaffe is always to be feared in these contests and his Biento Madame is a token selection. Based on profile, none catch the eye more than the John Halley-trained Affairs Of State, with the son of Montjeu having realised no less than 700,000gns as a yearling and having been formerly trained by Aidan O’Brien.

Selection: BIENTO MADAME

Next Best: Affairs Of State