1.10 ARKequine P.P. Hogan Cross Country Chase 3m 1f

A tentative vote goes to Enda Bolger’s Stealthy Tom. The J.P. McManus-owned gelding is a relatively young age in this sphere at eight years old and he showed his prowess over this course and distance when second to Hurricane Darwin here at the festival last April. That was only his second run over the banks and he had the vastly more experienced Singing Banjo in behind. He may be able to improve again and although he is coming off a long lay-off, you’d imagine he will be well drilled by his specialist handler.

Singing Banjo is respected again, having gone close to beating Delta Work over this course and distance in November and then running a respectable race behind Back On The Lash over the banks course at Cheltenham last month. Another to consider is last year’s winner Midnight Maestro. He was well held on his latest start at Thurles but should be more at home back on this course.

SELECTION: STEALTHY TOM

Next best: Singing Banjo

1.40 Concept Colours Rated Novice Chase 1m 7f 170y

It’s hard to trust any of these but by process of elimination, Indiana Jones looks the one to beat. Mouse Morris’s seven-year-old has shown jumping frailties in the past but he has been okay recently and okay when third to Shakeytry in a two-mile handicap chase at Naas on his most recent start. His mark of 132 looks good in the context of this race and he should get his own way in front.

Gallyhill is clearly a talented sort on his day but he’s hard to make a case for after pulling up last time and maybe Francin will be better equipped. He was travelling okay in a much better race than this (Grade 3 won by Thedevilscoachman at Naas) when he fell at the fourth last, so he may be able to make an impact now.

SELECTION: INDIANA JONES

Next best: Francin

2.10 QuinnBet National Trial Handicap Chase (Grade B) 3m 4f 40y

This is a unique test so it may pay to go with the tried and tested, which include two of the Gigginstown quintet, Coko Beach and Death Duty. The latter won this last year and can race off the same mark but his stablemate looks in better shape after a fine effort to finish fourth to Carefully Selected in the Thyestes. He had also run well in the Troytown prior to that run and he was fourth in this race last season, not beaten far by Death Duty, while he too can compete off the exact same mark again.

Death Duty is respected again. He was pulled up in the Paddy Power Chase but that was mostly to do with a bad mistake he made early in the race. Diol Ker finished a close second in that contest and could be a threat now over this marathon trip.

Of the remainder, Whatsnottoknow makes some appeal for Mouse Morris, despite the fact he is racing from 1lb out of the handicap. He has some good form over hurdles last season, having finished fourth in the William Fry and then finishing relatively close to Third Wind when seventh in the Pertemps Final. His comeback run at Navan was promising in that he was racing over a likely inadequate trip of two and a half miles so he could set up for a big run.

SELECTION: COKO BEACH

Next best: Death Duty

2.40 Apple’s Jade (Mares)

Novice Hurdle (Listed) 2m 5f

Eabha Grace impressed with the manner of her victory over this course and distance on her previous run and she can improve again to take this listed contest. The Willie Mullins-trained mare has improved for jumping hurdles and coming up in trip. She was third to Hiddenvalley Lake over two miles and three furlongs at Naas on her first run, and that form has taken a spike since. She was then beaten by Halka Du Tabert when dropped to two miles but back up to this trip, she was a 30-length winner over Fiery Brown last month.

Harmonya Maker is feared as she looked impressive when 20 lengths too good for Pink In The Park on her previous start. She should also prosper over this trip but she does have to concede weight all around. Whatcouldhavebeen represents the Solerina form - she was only beaten two and a half lengths by the talented Ashroe Diamond and she also shapes as if this step up in trip should suit her well.

SELECTION: EABHA GRACE

Next best: Harmonya Maker

3.10 John Ross Memorial Maiden Hurdle 2m 4f

This could go to Senior Chief who ran promisingly on his debut over hurdles. The six-year-old found only The Four Sixes too good over an extended two miles at Clonmel in November, with subsequent winners Ifiwerearichman and Green Glory in behind. He had previously finished second to the talented Monbeg Park in a Cork bumper so he has shown plenty of ability to date and this step up in trip should suit him.

Quirke’s Gate has to be a player after his second to Hunters Yarn at Naas. He was well beaten by that Willie Mullins-trained rival, but finished ahead of 23 other rivals and can build on that, considering it was his first start in 388 days. Abbeydale might be capable of better than his fourth to Haxo at Punchestown where he ran reasonably well in fourth behind Haxo over today’s distance.

SELECTION: SENIOR CHIEF

Next best: Quirke’s Gate

3.45 David Trundley Artist Handicap Hurdle 2m 7f 115y

Martha Divine looks set up for a big run. Paul Nolan’s mare found only the very well handicapped Corbett’s Cross too good on her previous run but she had some in-form rivals in behind her and it was easily her best effort of this campaign. She won her maiden hurdle at this track last season and with just six runs over hurdles to her name, she has lots of scope to improve past a mark of 116.

Verdant Place is another with scope to improve given he won on his latest start, which was just his fifth ever run over hurdles. He could appreciate this step up in trip also. The in-form Bluebell Diva should be noted also - she has won two of her previous three races and did well to get the better of the useful Optional Mix on her latest start at Gowran.

SELECTION: MARTHA DIVINE

Next best: Bluebell Diva

4.20 Hospitality (Pro-Am) INH Flat Race 2m

This looks a smart bumper and for all that Irish Panther looks a winner in waiting, he might well find one of the high profile newcomers too good. Ballyburn makes most appeal for Willie Mullins. He won his four-year-old maiden at Loughanmore in October and makes his track debut now. Willie is operating at a 32% strike rate in bumpers this term.

Quantum Storm finished second in a five-year-old maiden at Dromahane in November and makes his debut now for Gordon Elliott. Champagne Admiral is another to consider. Pat Fahy’s five-year-old fell just as he was challenging at Boulta for his sole point start.

SELECTION: BALLYBURN

Next best: Champagne Admiral

4.55 Up The Yard Challenge Race 2m

A tentative vote goes to Scaramanga, who was a smart flat horse on his day and holds a rating 145 over hurdles, so he looks the best of these in a unique contest. He can go well for Janna Walsh. The Very Man is also noted for Emma Redmond. He is a useful sort over hurdles and has transferred that ability to the flat when given the chance, scoring over two miles at Thurles last year. Gevrey could also go well for Catríona Bolger. He has some useful form over hurdles and fences.

SELECTION: SCARAMANGA

Next best: The Very Man