12.45 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Paddy Mullins Mares Handicap Hurdle (Grade B) 2m 1f 156yds

Glan makes plenty of appeal. A decent type in bumpers, she won over hurdles on her second start and followed a respectable showing at Grade 3 level with an excellent run on her handicap debut when she was beaten just a neck by Gua Du Large in a Grade A contest at Fairyhouse over two months ago.

That last run would suggest a good handicap can fall her way and back in mares-only company she lines up with compelling claims.

Her stablemate Party Central could be quite reasonably treated as she shaped a good deal better than the final result in a listed event at Punchestown two months ago when getting home by a head from Humble Glory after travelling supremely well for much of the race. She should be closely involved.

The reliable Lunar Display has posted a succession of good efforts in blacktype company with her latest start yielding a third to Allegorie De Vassy in a decent Grade 3 last weekend. She looks like one of the foremost contenders. Sit Down Lucy and the much improved Brides Hill are others with prospects.

SELECTION: GLAN

Next Best: Party Central

2.25 Bulmers Secret Orchard Leopardstown Handicap Chase (Grade A) 2m 5f 61yds

He has yet to win over fences and is making only his fifth appearance over the larger obstacles but Max Flamingo could be the one to side with. He had to settle for fourth behind Fury Road in a Grade 1 last time but was beaten less than 20l and might just have found 3m beyond him.

This shorter trip should work in his favour, while his other chase form includes fine third in a decent beginners’ event at Fairyhouse behind Gabynako and Fury Road. That calibre of form against Grade 1 performers offers a telling pointer to his chances.

Gallant John Joe has been placed at the top level as a hurdler and a chaser. He was returning from the best part of two years off when finishing a respectable fourth to Ferny Hollow in a Grade 1 here at Christmas before finishing a well-held fifth behind Bob Olinger in a Punchestown Grade 3 last time.

He should enjoy switching to handicap company and his other form as a chaser ties in closely with the subsequent Galway Plate winner Royal Rendezvous which would point to his capacity to land a big handicap success.

Birchdale must have a great chance off a feather-weight having run so well in the Paddy Power Chase and a drop in trip for this assignment will serve him well.

SELECTION: MAX FLAMINGO

Next Best: Gallant John Joe

4.10 Liffey Handicap Hurdle

(0-150) (Grade B) 2m

Sea Ducor is a hopeful choice in an open edition of this race. He ran as though something was amiss on the flat in the summer and was then returning from six months off when finishing in midfield behind Brides Hill here at Christmas.

However, he shaped with promise at Christmas and a look back at his form last season offers a telling pointer to his chances as he defeated Galopin Des Champs in a winner’s event at Gowran and he was second to Master McShee in a decent handicap here in December 2020.

Of the longer priced runners, He’s A Hardy Bloke could make his presence felt. He didn’t seem to run his race when a leading fancy for this race last year and hasn’t been at his best in two subsequent runs.

However, he wasn’t at all disgraced when sixth to Arcadian Sunrise at Galway in the summer when his yard wasn’t firing. He might have a better chance than his odds suggest. Carrarea is interesting and big handicap regular Magic Tricks is another to keep in mind along with Visionarian and Wouldn’t You Agree.

SELECTION: SEA DUCOR

Next Best: He’s A Hardy Bloke

4.40 Coolmore N.H. Sires Santiago Irish EBF Mares I.N.H. Flat Race (Grade 2) 2m

On her debut at Listowel in September, Pink In The Park looked top class. She was well supported beforehand and went off at odds-on and then produced a performance to match as she dished out a 14l beating to her rivals. The race may not have contained a great deal of strength in depth but the manner of her display suggested she was a mare of the highest quality.

Her biggest danger could be Harmonya Maker who was second in a listed bumper on her racecourse debut before bolting up at Punchestown just over a month ago. She too looks a mare of substantial promise.

In a race where all bar one of the runners is a previous winner, there is considerable strength in depth with the likes of Eabha Grace and Bellatior also appealing as mares of notable promise.

Battling Bessie has prospects as does Kilbunny Pontic who achieved the notable distinction of beating geldings on her racecourse debut at Fairyhouse over two months ago.

SELECTION: PINK IN THE PARK

Next Best: Harmonya Maker