1.40 ATHASSEL HOUSE STUD IRISH EBF MAIDEN 1M 1F

Edessann is worth taking a chance on as he looks to build on an encouraging debut at Gowran in August. On that occasion this colt was beaten 2½l into third by Giga White and he gave the impression that he would progress nicely from that outing.

The step up in trip from 7f for the longest two-year-old maiden run in Ireland this season shouldn’t be a problem and, as a son of Lope De Vega, he is likely to relish this much softer ground.

South Pacific appears to set the standard here as he was 2¼l in front of Edessann when they met at Gowran. He has since run another creditable race in defeat by chasing home Western Australia in a 7f maiden back at Gowran last month.

SELECTION: EDESSANN

Next Best: South Pacific

2.10 THETOTE.COM HANDICAP (70-100) 1M 1F

This could see Aussie Valentine notch up a third course and distance success. A winner of two rated races this season, this seven-year-old has also run very well to reach the frame in a number of top-class handicaps this season and his cause is aided by his rider’s very useful 7lb claim. He can deal with the threat posed by the reliable Prosecution. The last-named was rewarded for his consistency when he landed a handicap on testing ground over this trip at Listowel last month. Prosecution is now 6lbs higher but that should not prevent him from playing a leading role.

SELECTION: AUSSIE VALENTINE

Next Best: Prosecution

2.40 COOLMORE HOME OF CHAMPIONS CONCORDE STAKES (GROUP 3) 7F 100YDS

Imaging has been kept under wraps for the summer but he can reward the patience of his connections as he returns to the fray on his favoured slow ground. He quickly made up into a smart colt in the spring when his form included a victory in the Tetrarch Stakes and a very creditable second to Gustav Klimt in a Guineas trial at Leopardstown.

There could easily be more to come from him and his form to date suggests that he can make up into a pattern-class performer on soft ground.

He gets the vote over last year’s winner, Psychedelic Funk, who has also been kept under wraps since he made a winning return to action in the Group 3 Gladness Stakes at Naas in early April. The conditions will be very similar to what the four-year-old encountered when he won this race last year.

SELECTION: IMAGING

Next Best: Psychedelic Funk

3.15 HORSE AND JOCKEY HOTEL HURDLE (GRADE 3) 2M

The former Irish St Leger Wicklow Brave will find this a tougher assignment than those he has faced in bringing up a four-timer in recent months but he could still succeed. He has hardly broken sweat in his recent wins but his other relatively recent form includes a good second to Joey Sasa in a Grade 3 over this course and distance three months ago and he also chased home Supasundae in a Grade 1 at Punchestown in April.

It wouldn’t surprise if he was given most to do by Bedrock who was fourth in the Galway Hurdle on his last start and also reached the frame in a Grade 1 novice hurdle at Aintree in April.

Arctic Fire is an intriguing runner. On his second and more recent start for Denis Cullen he won a conditions hurdle at Cork and it is worth recalling that he was a top-class 2m hurdler at his peak.

SELECTION: WICKLOW BRAVE

Next Best: Bedrock

3.45 JOE MAC NOVICE HURDLE (GRADE 3) 2M

Quick Grabim won nicely at Listowel on his first run since last December and he appeals as one that can hold his own at this level. He was a decent sort in bumpers and there was has been substantial promise in both of his completed starts over timber. He should also progress substantially from his Listowel comeback.

The likeable Triplicate could give him most to do. He followed up a Galway maiden win with a victory over Quick Grabim’s stablemate Aramon at Listowel and there is a chance that he can improve further over hurdles.

SELECTION: QUICK GRABIM

Next Best: Triplicate

4.15 WOODLANDS HOTEL ADARE HANDICAP HURDLE 2M

A chance is taken on Conron who hasn’t been able to add to his shock 66/1 success in a Punchestown maiden hurdle in May. Possibly a switch to easier ground might aid his cause and he is chosen in the expectation that he will have learnt plenty from his handicap hurdle debut at the Galway Festival where he was ninth behind Castlehume.

The Granson was unable to make an impact last time but he is better judged on his third in a decent handicap hurdle at Killarney in August, which was won by Lakemilan. The top-weight, Stooshie, is a capable type and could be interesting as he has the benefit of a recent charity race outing to aid his cause.

SELECTION: CONRON

Next Best: The Granson

4.45 LIKE A BUTTERFLY NOVICE CHASE (GRADE 3) 2M 4F

Le Richebourg made a very pleasing start over fences at Listowel last month where he turned in some excellent jumping en route to a 1¾l success over Arvico Bleu. The step up from 2m shouldn’t be a problem for this talented five-year-old, who looked as though he could make up into a high-class hurdler at one stage, and ran well to finish fifth in the Galway Hurdle two months ago.

He is chosen ahead of the prolific Robin Des Foret who bounced back to form to defeat Gusty Rocky by 14l to win his third race over fences at Listowel. He sets a good standard for this race with a rating of 145.

SELECTION: LE RICHEBOURG

Next Best: Robin Des Foret

5.15 KENYON STREET TRADERS (C&G) PRO/AM FLAT RACE 2M

He looked a horse of substantial potential when he defeated the Whoshotthesheriff by 23l in a Downpatrick bumper in August and Royal Rendezvous cannot be opposed. The former winning point-to-pointer is a well-regarded sort and the manner of his Downpatrick triumph suggested that he would take beating if he turned out in a winners’ bumper.

The Punchestown Festival bumper winner Kalum River should be all the better for his comeback at Listowel where he chased home Queens Boulevard.

The last-named put the form to the test in the last race at Gowran on Friday.

SELECTION: ROYAL RENDEZVOUS

Next Best: Kalum River