12:15 BetVictor Maiden Hurdle 2m

This looks a weak maiden hurdle and therefore a good option for the talented Uhtred to get off the mark. His three runs over hurdles so far have been a step above the level he’s facing today, most notably having finished fourth to Echoes In Rain in the Grade 1 Champion Novice Hurdle at the Punchestown festival. A replication of that form should see him win.

Prevaricate didn’t pull up any trees in bumpers but he won his point-to-point at Knockmullen House and he could fare better over hurdles now for Gordon Elliott. Gordon Dai Dai could also benefit from his debut run over hurdles when he was fifth to The Names Jock at Listowel.

SELECTION: UHTRED

Next best: Prevaricate

12:50 BetVictor Fishery Lane Hurdle (Grade 3) 2m

Quilixios, the Triumph Hurdle winner, is clearly the one to beat here but at the time of writing, prices of 8/1 about Lartigue Hurdle winner Autumn Evening look too generous to ignore. The Jessica Harrington-trained four-year-old took his hurdles form to a new level completely when four lengths too good for Dark Voyager at Listowel, prompting an 11lb rise to a mark of 133. He lines up here receiving 11lbs from both Quilixios and Autumn Evening, and he has race fitness on side, with the added factor that he could well improve again.

Quilixios may still prove too strong and is the right favourite. He stayed on powerfully at Cheltenham in what might turn out to be a good renewal of the Triumph and that is clearly the best form on offer. His Punchestown disappointment is easily forgiven considering the form of his stable.

Jeff Kidder progressed brilliantly through the season last term and is a clear threat, though it was disappointing that he couldn’t win at least once on the flat given his comparatively low mark in that sphere and he may have a tough time confirming his Grade 2 Fairyhouse form with Teahupoo, who has a 7lb swing at the weights and whose trainer Gordon Elliott has won the last two renewals of this contest.

SELECTION: AUTUMN EVENING

Next best: Quilixios

1:20 Poplar Square Chase (Grade 3) 2m

This is a tricky contest to decipher and while Andy Dufresne is most interesting back at two miles and may well turn out the best of these, the 7lbs he has to concede to Captain Guinness could be decisive. Henry de Bromhead’s six-year-old is certainly not bombproof, his record of three completed starts from six over fences is evidence of that, but when he has completed, his form is quite strong, notably finishing second to Energumene over this course and distance. As a two-mile chaser, he’s probably in the best place he could be, so it wouldn’t be a surprise to see an improved jumping display either.

Felix Desjy ran okay on his comeback over hurdles and this contest could work out well for him if he gets loose on the lead, but he has a Grade 2 penalty which should bring him back to the field. Darver Star needs to show a lot more than his most recent efforts over fences.

SELECTION: CAPTAIN GUINNESS

Next best: Andy Dufresne

1:55 BetVictor Brown Lad Handicap Hurdle (Grade B) 2m 4f

No horse seems obviously well treated and while those at the top of the market – Jiving Jerry, Minx Tiara and Jacksons Gold – are likely to give their running, it might just be worth taking a chance on The Big Lense.

Gordon Elliott’s eight-year-old pulled up on his latest start in the Munster National but earlier in the summer he won the Midlands National at Kilbeggan and finished a respectable sixth in a very competitive renewal of the Galway Blazers Handicap Chase. That was off a mark of 139 and he can compete off 117 today over hurdles, so it’s a fair drop, and if he can leave his previous run behind, he should be able to get competitive at least today.

Damalisque was backed off the boards for this contest last season and just found one too good in Barnaviddaun. He got compensation on his next start at Navan and then finished third in the William Fry Handicap Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival. He’s 18lbs higher in the weights than he was coming into this race last season but he remains lightly raced and open to further improvement, with any rain likely to aid his cause.

SELECTION: THE BIG LENSE

Next best: Damalisque

2:30 BetVictor Irish EBF Maiden Hurdle 2m 3f

Eric Bloodaxe is the most intriguing in this maiden hurdle. Winner of his first two bumpers, which included the notable scalp of Ferny Hollow, he missed most of last season until returning in the Punchestown Champion Bumper to finish a respectable fourth to Kilcruit. With no problems since, he looks a promising novice hurdler and can lay down a marker with a good win today.

The same owners’ Highland Charge, trained by Noel Meade, is also promising. He beat a good horse on his debut in a Fairyhouse bumper and had excuses for his second run, when his saddle slipped.

Malton Groove was €160,000 store purchase for Andrew and Gemma Brown at last year’s Derby Sale so deserves plenty of respect now on his debut.

SELECTION: ERIC BLOODAXE

Next best: Highland Charge

3:05 Cavan Developments Home Builders Supporting St. Mary’s GAA Novice Handicap Chase 2m 4f

Wa Wa rates a solid option after his smooth Killarney success. On his first start for Dermot McLoughlin, the six-year-old was much too good for Shes Some Doll, who has run well again since. The handicapper has only given him 5lbs for that success which could well underestimate his level of authority and he can go in again today.

King Alex is interesting considering he is rated much higher over hurdles having run up a sequence last season. He pulled up on his last start, in a novice chase at Navan, so he has come back from that, but he’s handicapped to go very close if he’s 100%.

SELECTION: WA WA

Next best: King Alex

3:40 Mongey Communications Beginners Chase 2m 3f

Mr Incredible looks a lovely chase prospect and gets the vote to make a winning debut over fences. Second to Gaillard Du Mesnil on his hurdles debut at Leopardstown last Christmas, the form of that contest worked out very well, with the third Magic Daze also doing her bit when finishing second in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. Mr Incredible then went on to win smoothly at this track and was put away for the rest of the season with a chasing campaign prioritised.

He’ll need to be sharp first time up because this looks a decent beginners’ chase with Genois possibly the most threatening. Enda Bolger’s five-year-old also has smart form at this course having beaten Micro Manage in a maiden hurdle last February. He is notably the choice of Mark Walsh among the McManus runners.

SELECTION: MR INCREDIBLE

Next best: Genois

4:15 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares INH Flat Race 2m

Bellatior is sure to be the centre of attention in this mares’ bumper. The daughter of Walk In The Park and half-sister to Altior was bought for €300,000 at last year’s Derby Sale and makes her debut now for Gordon Elliott, who has been going well in bumpers lately. She gets a tentative vote in what doesn’t look an overly strong race.

Madam Belle could give her most to do. She showed up quite well on her only run to date when fourth to Apple Crumble in a bumper at Punchestown last April. If progressing from that, she could well have a say.

SELECTION: BELLATIOR

Next best: Madam Belle