12.27 Happy New Year From All At Cork Maiden Hurdle 2m

It seems reasonable to assume that Alastor will be step above these on his debut for Willie Mullins. Bought as a three-year-old for €150,000 off the flat in France, the son of Helmet has been given plenty of time to develop at Closutton. He showed a good level in his previous discipline, notably finishing third in a Group 2 at Capannelle, and ought to be too smart for what looks a weak contest.

Action Motion may be able to follow him home. He showed up quite well in a juvenile maiden hurdle won by Blood Destiny over this course and distance last time. The form of that race has worked out well.

SELECTION: ALASTOR

Next best: Action Motion

1.02 McCarthy Plant & Agri Sales Rated Novice Hurdle 2m

A novice hurdle in name but the weights are framed from the ratings of these seven runners so this is essentially handicapped, with Elusive Guy looking best treated on the day. Jarlath Fahey’s five-year-old won a maiden hurdle on his penultimate start at Limerick and was about to run a big race in a conditions event back at that track on St Stephen’s Day before unseating at the second last. The horses he was in amongst there are all rated significantly higher, so he looks well treated.

Invictus Machin was subject of an alarming drift in the betting prior to his run at Punchestown and ran accordingly, but he is surely better than that having looked smart on his debut at Down Royal. Caldwell Diamond is another on a retrieval mission having disappointed at Hereford in November, but he looked a good winner prior to that at Fairyhouse.

SELECTION: ELUSIVE GUY

Next best: Invictus Machin

1.37 ITM Irish Stallion Trail 13-14 January Maiden Hurdle 3m

This might go to Japers Jack who shaped well in a better-looking race on his previous start. Philip Fenton’s five-year-old finished third to Miss Agartha Yeats on his hurdling bow at Wexford but improved on that effort when fifth to Grangeclare West on his most recent run, coming over two and a half miles at Navan. If the step up in trip suits him, he could take all the beating.

Walk In The Brise might appreciate the step up in trip but she has been a little disappointing on her only two hurdles starts, most notably when a well-held fourth over this course in November.

Hans Gruber is interesting. He has some smart maiden hurdle form, notably finishing second to Three Stripe Life on his second start over hurdles. He missed most of last season though and only made his comeback in a Tattersalls point-to-point, which he won, last month.

SELECTION: JAPERS JACK

Next best: Walk In The Brise

2.12 Racing Again March 23rd Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f

Lucky Max should go close. He has run well in two very good handicap hurdles, finishing a close-up third in the Brown Lad at Naas and then fifth to Merlin Giant back over two miles at Fairyhouse. A replication of that standard should suffice and he’s a dual winner at this course so everything looks in place for a big run.

All Those Years is potentially dangerous, though this is his first start in 189 days. He was last seen finishing sixth to Anna Bunina in a valuable handicap hurdle at Bellewstown during the summer. He has lots of scope to improve further now for Charles Byrnes.

Rodaniche is also noted, though his comeback run didn’t last too long when he fell at the fourth hurdle in the Pertemps Qualifier at Leopardstown over Christmas. He had two wins from four starts over hurdles last season and looks another who has the potential to improve.

SELECTION: LUCKY MAX

Next best: All Those Years

2.47 Quays Bar And Bistro Fermoy And The Stables Bar Carrigaline Beginners Chase 2m 4f

Hard Rain may be able to make his consistency pay and take this weak contest. James Dullea’s gelding has hit the frame on all four starts this term, elevating his rating 8lbs in the process. His latest third in a two-mile Naas handicap chase was a career best and there is no reason why he can’t improve again coming back up to two and a half miles.

Union Park is also consistent and should be thereabouts again. He has been in the top four in his last five starts and comes into this off a third to Brandy Harbour in a two-mile-two-furlong handicap chase at Thurles. The step up in trip will be no problem. Chelseas Friend is the interesting one. She was in good form when last seen, finishing third to Echoes In Family at the Fairyhouse Easter Festival but she has been off the track since and may lack for fitness.

SELECTION: HARD RAIN

Next best: Chelseas Friend

3.22 Annual Membership Available Handicap Chase 2m 4f

Yabo can add another win to her CV. Liz Doyle’s mare fell early at Thurles last month but prior to that she ran out a ready winner of a Gowran Park beginners’ chase from Willywampus. That was her first start of the campaign and represented a significant improvement on her form last year, which was still useful, as she hit the frame on five of her four starts. She has the scope to improve further.

Both Halsafari and Bread And Butter make appeal, particularly the latter who can run off a 7lb lower chase mark, but both horses are on long losing runs and might just end up finding one or two too good again.

Ballyadam Destiny is another who is potentially well handicapped, racing off a chase mark which is 12lbs lower than his hurdles assessment, and he ran well enough for a long way in a novice handicap chase at Limerick over Christmas.

SELECTION: YABO

Next best: Ballyadam Destiny

3.57 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race 2m

Fancy Girl should be tough to beat. Winner of a four-year-old mares maiden at Ballyraggett last month, she cost £200,000 at auction and makes her debut for Willie Mullins. Double Dating also warrants respect for Gordon Elliott, she comes from the family of Lovethehigherlaw, a useful bumper horse. Of those with experience, Tilloughna could be dangerous. She improved upon a well-held Limerick fourth to get to within a length of Karl Philippe at Fairyhouse just before Christmas.

SELECTION: FANCY GIRL

Next best: Double Dating