12.30 CONNOLLY’S RED MILLS IRISH EBF AUCTION MAIDEN HURDLE 2M

The Holy One has stronger claims than his form figures might imply. He finished down the field in a novice handicap at Leopardsown last time but that run came just three days after he was a creditable third to Try Again in a 2m handicap at that track.

Before that run he also finished unplaced. but that was in a €100,000 handicap hurdle, and a look at his best form over the last 13 months shows that he is more than capable of making his mark in a race such as this. He might have most to fear from Mason Jar who produced his best effort yet when chasing home Capuccimix in a 2m 4f maiden at Clonmel last week.

SELECTION: THE HOLY ONE

Next best: Mason Jar

1.00 BETVICTOR W.T. O’GRADY MEMORIAL IRISH EBF NOVICE HURDLE 2M 6F

A chance is taken on the lightly raced Cool Saint who is open to plenty of improvement after just three outings. She progressed tremendously well from a comeback at Cork last month to land a gamble at Limerick over Christmas when she defeated the subsequent winner Ifyoucatchmenow.

This slightly longer trip will work in her favour and she is preferred to First Approach who was never able to land a telling blow in a Naas Grade 1 last time but wasn’t beaten all that far when finishing an 8½l sixth behind Battleoverdoyen. Previously he was beaten just over 2l into fourth by Easy Game in a Navan Grade 2. He is the top-rated runner in the field on 132.

SELECTION: COOL SAINT

Next best: First Approach

1.35 MATTY RYAN MEMORIAL HANDICAP HURDLE 2M

Like An Open Book would be a deserving winner as she has held her form well since scoring on the flat at Tramore in August. She showed up well here last month to finish a 4¼l third to The King Of Brega, with whom she is now 5lbs better off, and she was possibly entitled to finish a little closer than she did that day.

Before that she also showed up well over this course and distance to be beaten less than 2l by the subsequent Grade 1 third Tintangle and the very useful Sassy Diva. She is chosen ahead of the dual winner Smiling Eliza who was well beaten at Fairyhouse last week but now lines up off a feather-weight on her favoured good ground and in first time cheekpieces.

Western Boy could be quite dangerous as he has slipped 6lbs in the ratings for his last two runs over hurdles.

SELECTION: LIKE AN OPEN BOOK

Next best: Smiling Eliza

2.10 HORSE & JOCKEY HOTEL CHASE (GRADE 2) 2M 4F 118YDS

This looks a good opportunity for Tout Est Permis to continue his rise up the ranks. This fast improving six-year-old began his season with a dominant handicap chase triumph at Galway and he then followed up in the Troytown Chase at Navan in November where he readily defeated a competitive field to win by 4½l.

After the Troytown he went up 12lbs in the weights to a mark of 150 and that rating still leaves him with something to find against a few of these but he can progress further and he comes here in much better form than most of these.

Total Recall is a major threat following his pleasing comeback second (beaten 6l) to Al Boum Photo at Tramore on New Year’s Day. It is worth remembering that he was running very well in last season’s Gold Cup only to exit at the third last.

SELECTION: TOUT EST PERMIS

Next best: Total Recall

2.40 ORDER OF ST GEORGE COOLMORE NH SIRES IRISH EBF MARES NOVICE CHASE (GRADE 2) 2M 4F 118YDS

Camelia De Cotte is hard to oppose as she looks to make it five wins from six starts over fences. She has already notched up two blacktype triumphs this term and she comes here off a convincing Grade 3 success over 2m1f at Cork last month when she finished with six lengths to spare over Moyhenna. She won over 2m5f back in August so the step up to this trip is of no concern.

Ellie Mac is a credible threat. Although she finished last in a Leopardstown Grade 1 last time she was beaten less than 17l by Le Richebourg and she did get to within 2¾l of the selection when they met at Listowel. She too will be well suited by this trip.

Meri Devie commands respect following her recent wide-margin (left clear at the last) success on her chasing debut at Naas.

SELECTION: CAMELIA DE COTTE

Next best: Ellie Mac

3.15 WATCH RACING TV WITH FREE TRIAL NOW HANDICAP CHASE 2m 5f 141yds

Even though he does have to carry top-weight, Killaro Boy has been given a chance by the handicapper. He hasn’t been at his best on his last couple of runs but he shaped better than the final result would suggest when seventh in the Galway Blazers Handicap Chase during the summer and he was rated 5lbs higher than he is now when he was a creditable fourth to Spider Web in a decent 2m5f handicap chase at Leopardstown in March.

Teacher’s Pet ran respectably to take fourth in last week’s Amateur National at Punchestown and this shorter trip should suit better. She won’t be far away on her third to Mrs Lovett over 2m4f at Fairyhouse in December.

Roaring Bull wasn’t convincing when winning a beginners’ chase last time but will be dangerous if blinkers bring about a more concentrated effort from him.

SELECTION: KILLARO BOY

Next best: Teacher’s Pet

3.50 ARCTIC TACK STUD HUNTERS CHASE 2M 7F 156YDS

Ucello Conti hasn’t won a race since coming to Ireland, but the dual Paddy Power Chase second and former Thyestes Chase runner-up was successful in a point-to-point at Aghabullogue last week when he accounted for the prolific Sydney Paget. He retains plenty of his old sparkle and this 147-rated 11-year-old is taken to see off Sidetracked.

The latter won a hunter chase at Clonmel last week and shouldn’t have a problem with this longer trip.

SELECTION: UCELLO CONTI

Next best: Sidetracked