1.55 Killarney Towers Hotel Maiden Hurdle 2m 1f

This looks a useful contest with both Gordon Elliott and Willie Mullins introducing two newcomers to hurdles, however Morning Soldier ought to be hard to beat. Tom Mullins’ gelding has a very notable piece of form having chased home Sir Allen at Naas, where he had the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle winner Jazzy Matty in behind. If he can run to that plain standard, he should win.

Jit Lancy is a French recruit for Mullins and J.P. McManus, so looks a clear danger, while Shajak is the Elliott representative, 92-rated on the flat, former Aga Khan-owned, four-year-old. Flamborough is also one to note. He just missed out on making a winning debut at Fairyhouse and is probably better than he showed when well held over two and a half miles on his latest start at Down Royal.

SELECTION: MORNING SOLDIER

Next best: Shajak

2.25 Mongey Communications Maiden Hurdle 2m 1f

Ideal De Ciergues won’t have to face the calibre of rival he has taken on for his first two starts and is taken to make it third time lucky over hurdles. Third to Il Etait Temps at Thurles on his hurdles debut, Gordon Elliott’s gelding then finished fourth to Impaire Et Passe in soft ground at Naas. The combination of coming down in class and racing on slightly better ground could make him tough to beat.

Jody McGarvey looks the right man for Marciano, who has potential but has run erratically for both of this two starts so far, running out at Ballinrobe most notably. Nene River is an interesting newcomer for Emmet Mullins and Paul Byrne, while We Had It All Said is also noted as one of three runners for Eric McNamara - he has shown some ability on both starts so far, and may be able to run well.

SELECTION: IDEAL DE CIERGUES

Next best: Marciano

2.55 Easyclean Tourist Attraction Mares Hurdle (Listed) 2m 1f

Party Central is a ready selection to make a winning return to hurdles. Gordon Elliott’s mare has always been a talented sort and was reasonably well fancied for last year’s Galway Hurdle before picking up a knock that kept her out until last month, when she made a highly promising return to win on the flat at Gowran Park. The horse she beat that day, Esculenta, was a good winner at the same track during the week. Party Central should improve for fitness, and she looks well capable of running to her rating of 142.

Anna Bunina has the same rating, and she has to be rated a big threat for John McConnell. She hasn’t won since last August, but her efforts in defeat recently have been valiant - finishing a close third in the Scottish Champion Hurdle and then second to Echoes In Rain in the Grade 1 mares’ contest at Punchestown.

SELECTION: PARTY CENTRAL

Next best: Anna Bunina

3.25 The Oyster Tavern Handicap Hurdle (Listed) 2m 1f

Magnor Glory was a real eyecatcher when fourth to Risk Belle in the Grade A RYBO Handicap Hurdle at Fairyhouse and can improve to take this contest.

Terence O’Brien’s gelding was coming off a 197-day break on ground that may have been softer than ideal, yet in a seriously competitive handicap he found only three too good. He should strip fitter now, and remains potentially well handicapped off a mark of 134, following his impressive Grade B handicap hurdle win in Listowel.

Gordons Aura could be a threat. He exited the fray very early on his latest start at Punchestown but prior to that he ran very well when beaten only five lengths by Telecon in a Fairyhouse contest that is working out well.

His stablemate Glan is also interesting. She was fourth in a Galway Hurdle off a mark of 130 and runs off 128 here. She struggled to make a mark on her previous run but it was her first start in 214 days and she may be a different proposition now.

SELECTION: MAGNOR GLORY

Next best: Glan

3.55 Gerard O’Sullivan Memorial Novice Chase 2m 7f

Saldier will likely be a short price here but could be worth taking on. Rated 155 over hurdles, there is every chance he outclasses his rivals but he does have to put a very poor run behind him, when he looked out of sorts when pulled up behind Journey With Me at Naas. Vina Ardanza isn’t exactly rock solid, but he ran reasonably well when seventh in a three-mile handicap hurdle at Aintree.

He is lightly raced and is at least half proven over this trip, while Saldier hasn’t convinced over three miles, albeit in top class company. The remainder probably have too much to do, though Perfect Attitude ran well on his second chase start when beaten four lengths into second behind the useful Life In The Park.

SELECTION: VINA ARDANZA

Next best: Saldier

4.25 Donie Sheahan Memorial Irish EBF Mares Beginners Chase 2m 4f

Hauturiere had a fine season through the winter and can add a chase win to her CV now. Willie Mullins’ mare was an impressive winner of her maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse in January before landing a listed contest at Punchestown. She then ran well in defeat in good company on both her most recent starts, notably when fourth to Ashroe Diamond in the Grade 1 mares’ novice hurdle at Fairyhouse.

Happy D’Ex makes appeal as a mare who could go well through the summer and she may well have bumped into a useful sort in Elle Perfecta at Kilbeggan last time. She has a bit to find with the favourite on her hurdles form but may be a better version of herself over fences. Eabha Grace beat her stablemate Hauturiere at Limerick in March but was pulled up in Fairyhouse on her latest run, so she needs to put that behind her.

SELECTION: HAUTURIERE

Next best: Happy D’ex

4.55 Tote Killarney National Handicap Chase 3m 2f

Just touched off in the Pat Taaffe Chase at Punchestown, Ballykeel can go one better. Gordon Elliott’s seven-year-old has looked really progressive over the last few months, notably when beaten a half length by subsequent Kim Muir winner Angels Dawn at Down Royal in January before winning a novice chase at Fairyhouse.

He failed to fire in the Kim Muir himself but his most recent start when beaten under a length by Brideswell Lad was a career best. The ground should suit him and Corey McGivern, who has built up a good partnership with him, is booked to take 7lbs off again.

O’Toole has to be considered. Stuart Crawford’s seven-year-old hasn’t been seen since he finished second to the talented City Chief in the often informative Grade 2 Towton Novices’ Chase. That was just his second run over fences, and the seventh run of his life, so he is open to plenty of improvement.

Gallant John Joe remains an interesting proposition off a mark of 135, especially coming back up to this sort of trip. He ran well to finish second to Verdant Place in a handicap hurdle over just short of three miles at Punchestown in February.

SELECTION: BALLYKEEL

Next best: O’Toole

5.25 Jim Ryan Services INH Flat Race 2m 1f

Not much to go on in this closing bumper, but needless to say My Great Mate will be to the forefront of the market for Willie and Patrick Mullins. Bred by Jackie Mullins, the son of Jukebox Jury is a half-brother to the high class Ashroe Diamond, a very smart performer in bumpers herself.

Of the others, Lionnar catches the eye for Joseph O’Brien. By Walk In The Park, she is out of a half-sister to the same owners useful Lunar Display and it won’t be a surprise if she runs respectably. It is also interesting that Johnny Murtagh has a gelding by Siyouni in here, Chicago Style.

SELECTION: MY GREAT MATE

Next best: Lionnar