2.17 Mongey Communications Maiden Hurdle 1m7f150y

This looks a good opportunity for Rainbow Trail to get off the mark over hurdles. He had an excuse for his poor showing on hurdle debut at Punchestown last December and he put that behind him with a much better performance at Naas last month when second to Tounsivator. There should be more to come from him now.

Gavin Cromwell’s Union Station is unlikely to be far away. He backed up his debut third when filling the same position at Naas last time over further, where he may well have been outstayed, so coming back to two miles here should suit him.

SELECTION: RAINBOW TRAIL

Next best: Union Station

2.50 Navan Members Mares Handicap Hurdle 1m7f150y

Instant Tendance can land an opening race double for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy. The six-year-old showed a real good attitude when winning her maiden hurdle over course and distance 21 days ago, fending off some late challengers in the straight before asserting up the hill. An opening mark of 116 seems fair and she should relish the likely testing conditions.

Stablemate Purse Price may give the selection most to do. She found only the smart Blizzard Of Oz too good at Leopardstown last time and that was arguably her best performance to date. She should improve now in handicap company.

SELECTION: INSTANT TENDANCE

Next best: Purse Price

3.25 Wesco Electrical Maiden Hurdle 2m4f

Despite not having won a race under Rules since October 2021, Fameaftertheglory has some solid form in the book and can get off the mark over hurdles. He was placed in four maiden hurdles last season and returned to the winner’s enclosure in point company in October.

His two most recent appearances have come in Cross Country events, finishing third on both occasions, including an excellent run at Cheltenham in December behind Latenightpass. That’s strong form in the context of this race.

Iceberg Theory may prove the best of the remainder. The son of Fleminsfirth has been placed on all three of his runs over hurdles so far and Paul Nolan has reached for the cheekpieces, which may help him to find the necessary improvement to play a hand here.

SELECTION: FAMEAFTERTHEGLORY

Next best: Iceberg Theory

3.58 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Hurdle 2m5f150y

This may be another for the Elliott-Kennedy team with Twoohthree. A point-to-point winner with Sean Doyle, he could not have been more impressive on his racecourse debut at Leopardstown 19 days ago when he bolted up in a maiden hurdle by 27 lengths. The stiff finish and soft conditions here should not be an issue as he shapes as though he’ll stay a lot further in time, and he looks a very smart prospect.

Chapeau De Soleil is the second choice. He will appreciate this drop in class after finding Grade 1 company a step too far in the Lawlor’s Of Naas Novice Hurdle last time, but he jumped poorly on that occasion and that will have to improve to play a part. Given he is housed in Closutton though, that’s certainly a possibility.

SELECTION: TWOOHTHREE

Next best: Chapeau De Soleil

4.33 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Handicap Chase Final (Listed) 2m7f100y

Paul Marvel could be the answer in a competitive looking feature contest. He ran well behind stablemate Horantzau D’airy at Leopardstown 19 days ago where he seemed to be doing all of his best work late on, so the step up in trip looks an obvious move. A winner of a Limerick maiden hurdle last year, he’s still quite relatively unexposed and a mark of 126 seems fair on handicap debut. He has scope to improve in any case, but even more so over this longer trip.

Battle It Out won in impressive style at Naas last month and even with an 11lb rise, he looks dangerous. He readily ran away from the smart Shantreusse over two and a half miles on that occasion and the step up to three miles looks fine for him.

SELECTION: PAUL MARVEL

Next best: Battle It Out

5.08 Kilberry Handicap Chase 2m1f

Hardwired has been in tremendous form of late and may be tough to beat. Ted Walsh’s charge has won three of his last five starts including two handicaps at Punchestown, while he was also brought down at Naas in the interim, where he didn’t look finished with. He won by six lengths on his most recent start in January and lines up here off a mark of 111 with Jack Kennedy booked. The drop back in trip is the only slight concern, but he has won over two miles and three furlongs, so he should have the pace for this.

Mighty Oak Lad is interesting on his first start over fences. He won a three-mile handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day by 11 lengths and had an excuse when pulled-up last time out after losing a shoe. He gets in here off a mark of 101 and will relish the testing conditions.

SELECTION: HARDWIRED

Next best: Migthy Oak Lad

5.38 Racing Next On April 9th INH Flat Race 1m7f150y

The vote goes to Mywayofthinkin. The J.P. McManus-owned gelding is a half-brother to five winners including last week’s Cheltenham Festival winners Inothewayurthinkin and Limerick Lace. He ran a cracker on debut when second at Leopardstown behind the smart Goldinthemountains on St Stephen’s Day and any notable improvement should see him involved.

Point winner Harbour Highway is interesting after fetching £90,000 at the Tattersalls Cheltenham May Sale last year, but he has a 321-day layoff to overcome, so Masterboy Davis is a safer alternative. He ran very well on racecourse debut at Punchestown last month when just denied and is sure to make his presence felt again.

SELECTION: MYWAYOFTHINKIN

Next best: Masterboy Davis