2.00 Ryan’s Cleaning, Waste & Recycling Maiden Hurdle 2m

Distant Chimes is a tentative choice. He was a useful sort on the flat for Sir Mark Prescott, winning four times in just over a month in 2019, and he made a heartening return from close to three years off when fourth to Wordsworth in a decent conditions race on the flat at Gowran last week.

That comeback run will have brought him on and despite his lack of hurdling experience he might overcome the Tipperary bumper winner Imperial Ruler who was second to the 66/1 shot Billable Grant in a Down Royal maiden last month on his first start for 10 months. Gorgeous Suspect makes notable appeal on his third to Banbridge in Punchestown maiden last May but hasn’t run since so he might be best watched.

SELECTION: DISTANT CHIMES

Next Best: Imperial Ruler

2.35 Cawley Furniture Novice Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f 55yds

A hugely competitive affair and Womalko is put forward in hope more than confidence as a case could be made for quite a few of his opponents.

He won very easily over 2m 3f on heavy ground at Limerick over Christmas and acquitted himself well off a 12lbs higher mark when second to the progressive Wild Hunt in a 2m 4f handicap at Down Royal last month. Possibly there might be a bit more to come from him.

Banks Boy was quite disappointing at Gowran last time but his previous second to Macs Charm when beaten ½l and looking unlucky points to his capacity to play a major role in a race like this. Clifftop, Full Noise and The Tack Room are others for the shortlist.

SELECTION: WOMALKO

Next Best: Banks Boy

3.45 Paddy Kehoe Suspended Ceilings Rated Novice Chase 2m 5f 50yds

Stand Off might be able to continue his progression. He has won two of his three starts over fences and possibly had something to spare when defeating Big Debates by just over 3l at Down Royal last month.

He won the 2m 4f novice handicap hurdle on this card last year and won over fences here earlier in the so this track suits him especially well. Gevrey lines up off a couple solid runs in Grade B handicaps, the most recent of which yielded a second to Bois De Clamart on Atrocious ground at Gowran last month.

He shouldn’t have a problem with this better surface. Jacksons Gold has a lively chance on his last run while Rightplacerightime’s prospects should be determined by his showing here on Saturday.

SELECTION: STAND OFF

Next Best: Gevrey

4.20 BoyleSports Novice Handicap Chase (Grade B) 2m 150yds

It wouldn’t surprise if Grange Walk defied top-weight. He finished a good second to A Wave Of The Sea in a decent 2m handicap at the Dublin Racing Festival and followed that with an honourable runner-up effort behind the subsequent Grade 1 winner Gentleman De Mee in a Grade 3 at Navan last month.

That sort of form points to his capacity to give weight all round and he is only a mere 3lbs higher than he was at Leopardstown.

Buddy Rich likes decent ground and can go well fresh. He ran respectably when fourth to Dunvegan in a Grade B contest over this course and distance in November having previously beaten Ballyadam in a beginners’ event at Navan and has the capacity to land a decent prize over fences.

SELECTION: GRANGE WALK

Next Best: Buddy Rich

5.25 Tattersalls Ireland George Mernagh Memorial Sales Bumper 2m

Lecky Watson is a speculative choice as the pick of the Willie Mullins contingent. This son of Valirann is out of an own-sister to a couple of Grade 2 performers and comes from the family of Annie Power.

Instant Tendence is also very interesting. She is a Joshua Tree half-sister to the very useful Good Risk At All and looks the choice of her trainer’s three runners. No Looking Back looked a nice horse when he won a four-year-old bumper at Thurles.

SELECTION: LECKY WATSON

Next Best: Instant Tendence