12.00 Dunmoe Rated Novice Hurdle 2m

There are three course-and-distance winners lining up but all of them may struggle to deal with the four-year-old Ebasari. Gordon Elliott’s gelding caused a mini upset at Cork when holding off Adamantly Chosen on his hurdles debut, which is a very reasonable effort given that rival had smart form in the book already having finished another close second to Gringo D’Aubrelle. This son of Lope De Vega may not have lived up to his potential on the flat but he already looks a different proposition over hurdles and can continue his progression here, receiving an age allowance against his elders.

Ardla looks best of the Navan winners, having progressed from his second to Grand Jury at Punchestown to win smoothly here in December. He should go well, while the Gavin Cromwell-trained Un Des Flos is interesting on his first run in Ireland, having won his sole start in France in November.

SELECTION: EBASARI

Next best: Ardla

12.30 Graigs Lane Maiden Hurdle (Div I) 2m 4f

Glen Wyllin could be the answer to this contest. Previously with Tom Gibney, he won a bumper at Ballinrobe last April before finishing third to Dysart Dynamo in another bumper at Punchestown. He was transferred to Henry de Bromhead after he struggled on his hurdles debut in November and produced a much better display when finding only Carrig Sam too good at Fairyhouse on New Year’s Day. He can improve again from that promising effort to get off the mark now.

Belle Metal was disappointing on her debut at this course in December, and her rider reported she made a noise during her run. This step up in trip may well aid her but she might be best watched for now. Manisanda is another mare with good bumper form last season. She finished fifth to Grangee in a Grade 3 mares’ bumper at Punchestown and has been given time since her hurdles debut in November, possibly to practice her jumping. If she can improve in that department, she can have a say here.

SELECTION: CARRIG SAM

Next best: Manisanda

1.05 Graigs Lane Maiden Hurdle (Div II) 2m 4f

This divide looks a little stronger and it can go to Gracchus De Balme. Joseph O’Brien’s six-year-old has been given plenty of time to develop and his sole start last season was in a Fairyhouse bumper where he finished fourth to O’Toole. A Lismore point winner, he looked much better over hurdles last month when third to Whatdeawant over this course and distance. That looked a good standard maiden hurdle, with a big gap back to the remainder of the field from the front three, so it was a pleasing effort and he can show the benefit of the experience today.

Ash Tree Meadow is much respected after two solid runs in maiden hurdles - the first when third to Gringo D’Aubrelle and Adamantly Chosen at Fairyhouse and the latest when third to Sir Gerhard at Leopardstown. Both of those efforts entitle him to go close. Willie Mullins’s French recruit Hybris is obviously respected but he’ll have to be fairly useful to win first time up against these two proven rivals.

SELECTION: GRACCHUS DE BALME

Next best: Ash Tree Meadow

1.40 Navan Handicap Hurdle (Grade B) 2m 4f

This looks wide open and instead of taking one towards the top of the market, it may be worth chancing a couple at bigger prices - The Very Man and Scoir Mear.

The Very Man, bought out of Gordon Elliott’s yard in the off season, ran very well on his debut for Jessica Harrington when finishing a closing in sixth to Futurum Regem in the Grade B Tara Handicap Hurdle over this course and distance last month.

He was pulled up on his next start at Leopardstown but that was his first try over three miles over hurdles and he was reported to have scoped dirty. He won his bumper and finished second in a maiden hurdle on his only other two runs at Navan, so he is well proven at the course.

Scoir Mear needs forgiving for his previous effort as well as he was well beaten in a Cork handicap hurdle but it was his first start of the season and he was cold in the betting, suggesting connections may well have felt he needed the run.

He gets another go over hurdles, and he has a 19lb lower mark in this sphere compared to his chases assessment. He is also another one with a good record at this course where his form reads 226163.

Mars Harper and Bread And Butter head the market at the time of writing and of that pair the latter mentioned is preferred. He finished second to Futurum Regem in the aforementioned Tara Handicap Hurdle and then bumped into a well-handicapped and well-backed horse in An Epic Song at Punchestown.

SELECTION: THE VERY MAN

Next best: Scoir Mear

2.15 Ardmulchan Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f

Shantou Lucky possibly wants further than this trip but the stiff Navan finish should suit him well and he can win again in a trappy heat. Gavin Cromwell’s five-year-old was all out to win his penultimate start from Paddy Wickla at Punchestown and was subsequently sent off joint favourite for a novice handicap hurdle at Leopardstown where he finished eighth. He didn’t have the clearest run in that race, but wasn’t overly unlucky, despite running on very well. He remains lightly raced with scope to improve which makes him somewhat appealing against these older horses.

Never Off Duty performed with credit on his first start in 380 days when second to Paddy’s Planet at Naas and he will be a threat if able to build upon that. Banks Boy is also interesting on his handicap hurdle debut for Gordon Elliott. He finished a respectable sixth to Ardla over two miles at this course last month. The step up in trip could help him and he could well end up better than an opening mark of 108.

SELECTION: SHANTOU LUCKY

Next best: Banks Boy

2.50 Wilkinstown Beginners Chase 3m

The Bosses Oscar has a nice opportunity here given he already has a chase rating of 143 but he pulled up last time and he has been a beaten favourite on all four occasions he has run this season. He faces at least three respected rivals here and the one who could emerge best is Ain’t That A Shame.

He was no match for Galopin Des Champs in a beginners’ chase at Leopardstown over Christmas but there was no shame in that and he was easily best of the rest in that contest. The step up to this trip will suit given his maiden hurdle win at Thurles came over just short of three miles and he has Rachael Blackmore for assistance again.

Indiana Jones runs in the same Robcour colours as the selection and has shown good form over fences so far, finishing second to Mr Incredible at Naas before taking a heavy fall at the last at the same course in the beginners’ chase won by Capodanno most recently. Cavalliono is also respected after finishing second to Stratum in at Thurles last month.

SELECTION: AIN’T THAT A SHAME

Next best: Indiana Jones

3.25 Gormanlough Handicap Chase 3m

Routine Excellence is going to be difficult to beat. Gavin Cromwell’s six-year-old was a comfortable winner of a Naas maiden hurdle on his seasonal debut which represented a significant step up in form on what he did on the track last term. Somewhat luckily, all of his runs last season came over fences and consequently he now looks very attractively handicapped off a mark of 88 coming back over the larger obstacles. He has the potential to run up a sequence and can start here.

The consistent Beating The Odds may follow him home. He’s only run four times over fences and finished third the last twice. First-time blinkers are applied by Willie Austin and that could eek out another bit of improvement. He remains of interest when you consider his chase rating is still 9lbs below his hurdles rating.

SELECTION: ROUTINE EXCELLENCE

Next best: Beating The Odds

4.00 Slane (Pro/Am) Flat Race 2m

This looks a good bumper and a tentative vote goes to Tag Man. He was no match for the very impressive Redemption Day at Leopardstown but performed admirably on what was his track debut, having initially finished second in a Borris House point-to-point.

He is preferred over Nonbinding who ran very well to finish second to Killer Mode on his track debut at Naas and looks another decent prospect. Don Chalant is noted, having finished third in a point-to-point bumper for Aidan Fitzgerald and joined Willie Mullins since.

Hartur D’Arc won his Loughanmore point-to-point by 17 lengths before he was acquired for £125,000. He is an intriguing track newcomer now for Tom Gibney and owner Derek Kierans.

SELECTION: TAG MAN

Next best: Nonbinding