Ryan McElligott

12.30 IRISH STALLION FARMS EBF BEGINNERS CHASE 2M 2F

Keppols Queen can make her previous chasing experience count. A very capable hurdler who ended last season with a Grade 1 placing at Punchestown, the eight-year-old has run with credit on both her starts over fences. She was fourth to Road To Respect in a decent race at Naas last month and followed that with a 5½l second to Daisy’s Gift at Wexford. The slight step up in trip will aid her cause and she is preferred to Royal Caviar. The latter ended his season with a trio of runner-up finishes in blacktype contests, the last of which saw him get to within ½l of the very smart Sutton Place in a Fairyhouse Grade 2.

Selection: KEPPOLS QUEEN

Next best: Royal Caviar

1.00 MOLONY CUP HANDICAP CHASE (0-109) 3M 187YDS

This looks a good opportunity for Mick The Jiver to follow up last month’s success in a 2m 6f handicap chase at this track.

Admittedly the six-year-old is now 9lb higher in the weights but he is still open to plenty of improvement over fences and his penultimate effort makes for good reading as that saw him finish a 5l third to the progressive Oscar Knight in a handicap at Galway. He is chosen ahead of the in-form Capture The Drama who is bidding for his third win in his last four runs. Capture The Drama, who won over an extended 3m at Wexford last time, finds himself 17lb higher than when scoring at Galway in October.

Selection: MICK THE JIVER

Next best: Capture The Drama

1.35 MARTINSTOWN OPPORTUNITY HANDICAP CHASE 2M 4F 183YDS

Getoutwhenyoucan is a speculative choice. His form over fences has fallen well short of what he has shown over hurdles but he is worth taking a chance on at this level. The trip will suit as will the ground and he is surely better than he showed when fourth to Sizing Coal at Sligo in September which was his first outing since April. Winter Magic should be able to get involved although he hasn’t run since May. On that occasion he won a Tipperary handicap chase over an extended 2m. This longer trip is of no concern though as he has also won over 3m.

Selection: GETOUTWHENYOUCAN

Next best: Winter Magic

2.10 HORSE & JOCKEY HOTEL EBF BOREEN BELLE MARES NOVICE HURDLE (LISTED) 2M

Following her pleasing return to action at Fairyhouse last month where she registered a commanding success in a 2m 4f maiden hurdle Asthuria is the choice. This talented mare has only run twice in Ireland,with her other start coming when she finished third to Jer’s Girl in a 2m 4f Grade 1 at Fairyhouse last Easter. Asthuria has plenty to fear from Shattered Love who boasts strong credentials. She has been beaten on her last two starts but her latest second to Let’s Dance at Punchestown was a fine run and so too was her ½l second to the subsequent Grade 1 scorer Airlie Beach at Down Royal early last month.

Selection: ASTHURIA

Next best: Shattered Love

2.40 GIFT HORSE GALLERY @ THE HORSE & JOCKEY HOTEL HANDICAP HURDLE 2M

Bull Ride might bring up a hat-trick of wins with his rider’s claim almost completely negating the 8lb rise he picked up for a narrow success in a 2m handicap hurdle at Navan last month. This lightly-raced gelding has run just four times on the track so he is entitled to progress further and he is chosen in the expectation that he will cope with ground that is slower than what he has encountered so far this season. Lilshane has over 12l to make up on the Selection from Navan but that was his first run since July so he should come on for that run.

At his best he is a capable handicap hurdler and he would be more than good enough to play a leading role. Following a series of solid runs in defeat, the most recent of which was a 2½l second to Maighnealta at Fairyhouse, Charlie Stout warrants the utmost consideration.

Selection: BULL RIDE

Next best: Lilshane

3.10 CHRISTMAS GREETINGS RATED NOVICE HURDLE 2M 7F 36YDS

This could provide Teacher’s Pet with her fourth win of the season. This steady improver was unable to bring up a hat-trick last time but still ran an honourable race to finish a ¾l second to Bel Ami De Sivola in quite a reasonable rated novice hurdle at Fairyhouse. On that occasion Teacher’s Pet put in some good late work and the longer trip of this race looks absolutely ideal. Dounikos is a maiden hurdle winner over this course and distance and he comes here off a solid 1½l second to Billy’s Hope in another rated novice hurdle at this track last month. He should again mount a strong challenge.

Selection: TEACHER’S PET

Next best: Dounikos

3.40 CURAHEEN (PRO/AM) FLAT RACE 2M

Mind’s Eye can build on an encouraging debut at Naas last month where he finished a fine neck second to the useful Brelade who has since franked the form by winning a maiden hurdle at Navan. Mind’s Eye should do better as a result of that initial outing and he is given the verdict ahead of Sharps Choice. That one also took second on his racecourse debut having chased home Woods Well in a bumper at this track last month. He too should have plenty of room for improvement.

Selection: MIND’S EYE

Next best: Sharps Choice