Escort’namix shaped well on her recent debut for the Elliott yard when finishing third in a similar race at Killarney. A former Irish point-to-point winner, the daughter of Al Namix was placed in a maiden hurdle for Warren Greatrex last April. Her stable continue to be in rude health since racing resumed and this looks the best opportunity she has encountered to date.

Moll Dote has blown hot and cold since joining her present trainer towards the end of last year. However, the seven-year-old has shown enough to suggest a race such as this is within her capabilities so it all depends on what frame of mind she arrives in. Similar to the Elliott mare, this is one of the easier contests she has competed in of late.

SELECTION: ESCORT’NAMIX

Next best: Moll Dote

Premium Package lacks the hurdling experience of a few of these rivals but could have the class edge to compensate for that. A point-to-point winner in May 2019, he had been off the track for over 400 days before a highly encouraging racecourse debut at Roscommon. In the circumstances he ran very well to chase home a short-priced favourite who could be quite useful. With that run under his belt, he can go very close here.

Goodbye Someday caught the eye last time when keeping on nearest at the finish in a 2m4f Tipperary maiden hurdle. John Kiely’s six-year-old has plenty of experience over flights so has to be a real threat to the unexposed De Bromhead runner.

SELECTION: PREMIUM PACKAGE

Next best: Goodbye Someday

Thatbeatsbanagher should be difficult to beat here competing off what appears an exploitable mark over hurdles. The McManus owned six-year-old was an easy winner over fences at Killarney recently and has been raised to 117 as a result. Back over hurdles here, he can race off 93 in a race that looks tailor made for him. He should be good enough to double-up here before going on to Galway next week.

Naturally Blond looked to have lost his way last year but showed something of his old self when third at Tipperary on his seasonal debut. A former course and distance winner, he won’t need to improve a great deal on that latest effort to be involved in the latter stage of this ordinary handicap hurdle.

SELECTION: THATBEATSBANAGHER

Next best: Naturally Blond

Pak Army has improved on the flat since last seen over hurdles so could be thrown in here off a mark of 95. Davy Russell is a significant booking for the locally trained runner so the hint should be taken. A smart juvenile back in 2017, he lost his way somewhat the following season, after which he was tried over jumps. It would be unwise to take those runs at face value now as the horse has improved in the interim.

Elegant Dan ran very well when second at Tipperary last month only being collared close home after traveling well. With the winner of that race going on to win again next time, the form deserves to be upgraded. A prominent racer, he will appreciate the demands of this tight, sharp track.

SELECTION: PAK ARMY

Next best: Elegant Dan

Elegant Lass had shown glimpses of ability on occasions on the flat but her recent hurdles win at Bellewstown was still a surprise. Tom Gibney’s mare needs to back that run up here and prove it was no fluke but there must be a real chance she can do just that. The manner of her win at the Meath track was impressive as she jumped and travelled easily throughout.

Cornerkova is very unexposed having stepped up on her maiden runs when finishing second in handicap company last time. The locally trained mare will be primed for this contest so has to be respected especially given her connections.

SELECTION: ELEGANT LASS

Next best: Cornerkova

Dommage Pour Toi should be good enough to win a race of this nature having competed in better company for much of his career. Having said that, he failed to take advantage of what was arguably an even easier opportunity at Tipperary last time. Despite that reversal the Gigginstown House Stud-owned runner is given another chance to shed his maiden tag over fences.

Line Out was well behind the De Bromhead runner at Tipperary last time but can be forgiven that effort as he may have needed the run. One of the best of these horses over hurdles, he has already been placed over fences and shapes as though he can do better with more experience.

SELECT: DOMMAGE POUR TOI

Next best: Line Out

Shes Flat Tothemat would be a popular winner here for trainer Mick Winters. Third at Kilbeggan on her seasonal debut, the mare had proven her ability to act around this track when placed here last year.

A subsequent win over hurdles saw her mark progress past her chase mark; one which now looks appealing in a race such as this. Simon Torrens who is great value for his 7lb claim can steer the Cork-trained mare to victory.

My Oakclahome came through the point-to-point/hunter chase ranks before reaching the places on each of his starts under rules. The lightly raced seven-year-old has more scope for improvement than any of these rivals so for that fact alone he has to be given serious consideration.

SELECTION: SHES FLAT TOTHEMAT

Next best: My Oakclahome