11.55 Bar One Racing Irish EBF Mares Handicap Chase 2m 3f 165y

This could go to Maskada who was a useful mare when trained in Britain by Stuart Edmunds but may well move to another level now under the care of Henry de Bromhead. If her first run is anything to go by, she will do exactly that because she put up easily a career-best performance when fourth to Blue Lord in the Grade 1 two-mile novice chase at the Punchestown festival. If she repeats that performance, a mark of 131 will undersell her, and she is worth chancing in spite of fitness concerns for her seasonal debut.

Optional Mix and Malina Girl are two in-form mares who should be involved, but the second vote goes to Razzle Dazzle Love for local trainer Tom Gibney. She ran perfectly well when second to Broomfield Hall here on her seasonal debut and she remains potentially well treated over fences off a mark of 118 (rated 125 over hurdles).

SELECTION: MASKADA

Next best: Razzle Dazzle Love

12.25 Bar One Racing Price Boost Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 3) 2m

Willie Mullins has a strong hand with four declared but it is significant that Paul Townend rides Zarak The Brave. In truth, it probably wasn’t a difficult decision for him because this son of Zarak was most impressive on the inner course of this track last month, pulling right away from his rivals and recording a smart time in the process. He was seven seconds faster than the preceding maiden hurdles contested by older novices. He has some decent form on the flat and could emerge as a top juvenile this season.

Lossiemouth, Risk Belle and Aghaboy are respected for Mullins as well, particularly the first-mentioned filly who has been a talking horse. That said, Joseph O’Brien’s Comfort Zone was most impressive in his maiden hurdle win at Navan last Sunday and rates a significant threat. He was another with smart form on the flat and he could develop into a smart juvenile hurdler now.

SELECTION: ZARAK THE BRAVE

Next best: Comfort Zone

12.55 Bar One Racing Porterstown Handicap Chase (Grade B) 3m 5f

Lord Lariat returns to the course and distance of his finest hour in the Irish Grand National. His proven ability over this test bodes well but he might just be worth taking on off top weight, in what looks a decent renewal. The Dabbler sneaks in at the bottom and he also has good form over this course and distance having finished second to Smoking Gun in this race two seasons back. He returns 2lb higher mark but that signifies the good form he has been in recently, and a decent effort over hurdles at Navan tees him up nicely for this.

Regina Dracones is really interesting as well. She fell early in the Troytown so reverts to this contest which may be a blessing as she does most of her winning at Fairyhouse. She won her beginners here over three furlongs shorter than today’s trip so she stands a good chance of seeing out this test and she has lots of scope to improve still, with only eight starts over fences.

SELECTION: THE DABBLER

Next best: Regina Dracones

3.05 BARONERACING.COM Handicap Hurdle (Grade A) 2m

This can go to Merlin Giant who might just be very well-treated off a mark of 127. That observation is made based on the form of his Galway maiden hurdle win two starts back, when he beat two subsequent winners Hubrisko and Rexem. On his next start he could only manage fourth, but he was well up in trip on that occasion and he returns to two miles today.

There are lots of dangers but two who caught the eye at big prices are Lucky Max and An Epic Song. Lucky Max was a really progressive horse for Sean Doyle before he left to join Dan Skelton’s team. He lost his way there and has since come back to Doyle, and ran a huge race when third to Watch House Cross in the Brown Lad at Naas. An Epic Song probably needs softer ground than he’ll get here but he was a taking winner of a Punchestown handicap hurdle when last seen and strikes as one who could be nicely treated, even off a 12lb higher mark.

SELECTION: MERLIN GIANT

Next best: Lucky Max

3.35 Bar One Racing (Pro-Am) INH Flat Race 2m

Better Days Ahead is marginally preferred to Chapeau De Soleil, as the big two yards clash again. Gordon Elliott’s horse came out worse in a slowly run bumper at Down Royal. The winner there, Carnfunnock, is a useful sort on his day, and had an experience edge, which in turn Better Days Ahead should have now over his main market rival.

Willie Mullins’s gelding won a Stowlin point-to-point in good style and presumably changed hands for a significant price.

SELECTION: BETTER DAYS AHEAD

Next best: Chapeau De Soleil