11.35 Jim Ryan Racecourse Services Beginners Chase 2m 5f 40y

Even though he was a beaten favourite, it was a fair effort from Minella Crooner to finish second on his chase debut in the Grade 2 Florida Pearl Novice Chase. Gordon Elliott’s gelding jumped well in the main and just lost out to a tough and race-fit mare in Darrens Hope. A Grade 1-placed novice hurdler, he should improve now to get the job done down in class.

Coqolino can lead home a stable one-two. He’s had a few problems it seems, but his two runs in beginners’ chases have been very respectable - fourth to Bob Olinger this time last year at Gowran and fifth to Gerri Colombe at this course last month.

SELECTION: MINELLA CROONER

Next best: Coqolino

12.07 Fairyhouse Ladies

Handicap Chase 2m 5f 40y

It might be worth chancing Halsafari, who was fourth in this race two seasons ago but is racing off a 7lb lower mark now. After a good start to last season, he lost his way a little thereafter for Michael Cusack. He has since returned to his initial trainer Michael Bowe, and ran well three times over hurdles, most recently on Tuesday when he was nose away from winning at Punchestown.

Hoke Colborn is an obvious threat with Maxine O’Sullivan in the saddle and having won here on the inner course last time out. He has a 5lbs higher mark to deal with but continues to be in good form.

SELECTION: HALSAFARI

Next best: Whiskey Lullaby

12.42 EasyFix Equine Handicap Chase 2m 165y

Dancing On My Own is most interesting. He’s an eight-year-old but he’s only had five runs over fences and was last seen putting up a huge performance at Aintree, where he jumped well in front and comfortably held off all challengers bar the progressive The Last Day, the pair coming clear. It’s also noteworthy that he won on his seasonal debut last term on similar ground to what he’ll face here, so there is no real fitness concern.

Magic Daze disappointed on her seasonal debut but she is surely better than that. She is free-going mare from the front, so likely went too fast for her own good at Cork, and with that zip taken out of her, she could be better equipped today. She was good on her penultimate start, scoring at the Punchestown Festival last season. Sil Ver Klass was third in that Punchestown race and is often underrated at this level.

SELECTION: DANCING ON MY OWN

Next best: Magic Daze

1.17 Kettles Supporting Fingal Ravens Maiden Hurdle (Div I) 2m

Kansas City Star can get off the mark. Gordon Elliott’s five-year-old put up a big performance on his hurdles debut at Naas, pushing a well-regarded and well-backed Ashroe Diamond all the way, the pair of them coming six lengths clear. He was an impressive winner of his point-to-point at Loughrea and looks a smart prospect.Viva Devito is a danger. He ran reasonably well in the Grade 1 bumpers at Cheltenham and Punchestown, and makes his hurdles debut now.

SELECTION: KANSAS CITY STAR

Next best: Viva Devito

1.52 Kettles Supporting Fingal Ravens Maiden Hurdle (Div II) 2m

Facile Vega, already a short priced favourite for the Supreme Novice Hurdle, is likely to get his hurdling career off to a winning start. Four from four in bumpers last season which included a devastating performance at the Dublin Racing Festival and equally as impressive win in the Champion Bumper, he should have too much for these rivals to set himself up for a big season.

With that said, there are a few nice prospects in this field and Arctic Bresil is one of them. Second in the Tattersalls Farm point-to-point just over a year ago, he has been the subject of positive reviews from the Henry de Bromhead yard since.

SELECTION: FACILE VEGA

Next best: Arctic Bresil

2.27 Close Brothers Rated Novice Hurdle 2m 4f 40y

Derrylinda looks an improved model this term judged by the manner of her victory at Cork first time up. She jumped well in that auction maiden hurdle, going clear with joint favourite Ocean Of Mercy in the straight but then comfortably holding off that rival. She can win again in this trappy contest.

Carrig Rock’s run to finish fourth in the Grade B Brown Lad at Naas was a decent effort off a mark of 116. He receives weight from most of the field and Brian Lawless, who rode him to win on his penultimate start at Sligo, takes 7lbs off his back.

SELECTION: DERRYLINDA

Next best: Carrig Rock

3.02 Kevin Sheedy Raceday 17 Dec Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f 40y

Explosive Boy might be able to get his head in front if he takes up his option here (engaged on Sunday also). He only just failed to do that at Cheltenham when arguably unlucky in a competitive novice handicap hurdle at the Open meeting. That rated easily his best performance to date and with just seven runs over hurdles, he has the scope to improve now.

Boothen Boy is an interesting proposition. He looked booked for at least second before falling in the Grade 3 For Auction Novice Hurdle when last seen this time last year. A mark of 129 looks fair.

SELECTION: EXPLOSIVE BOY

Next best: Boothen Boy

3.35 Willie Elliott Memorial INH Flat Race 2m

This race is run in memory of Gordon Elliott’s uncle and the Cullentra trainer would love to win it. He threw the kitchen sink at it last year only for his three runners to finish directly behind the subsequent Albert Bartlett winner, The Nice Guy. He runs three again and by jockey bookings, Shannon Royale looks to be the first string. A £300,000 purchase after he finished second in a Comea point-to-point, he has clearly been showing the right signals at home. Don’t underestimate the Willie Mullins horse Nick Rockett, who won his point-to-point at Curraghmore last year.

SELECTION: SHANNON ROYALE

Next best: Nick Rockett