2.00 Anton O’Toole Hurdle 2m2f

It’s hard to get away from Saint Sam. Rated a lively outsider for the Stayers’ Hurdle after his comeback win at Punchestown on New Year’s Eve, he fluffed his lines when upped to two miles and five furlongs last time, pulling way too hard through the race and failing to see it out. He was still only beaten 11 lengths by the current Stayers’ Hurdle favourite Blazing Khal, and now returns to shorter trip which should help him to settle a little better. He’s well in at the weights as well.

Gatsby Grey ran well with fifth to Perceval Legallois in the three-mile William Fy Handicap Hurdle at the Dublin Racing but he has to concede 5lb to a horse rated 11lb better than him now. Strictly on ratings, Fils D’oudairies could get close to Saint Sam, but he was very disappointing when well backed for his chase assignment at the Dublin Racing Festival.

SELECTION: SAINT SAM

Next best: Gatsby Grey

2.35 Michael Rafferty Memorial Maiden Hurdle 2m4f

Parmenion can make it an opening race double for Willie Mullins, and third time lucky for himself. A big talking horse when making his debut at Leopardstown over Christmas, he could only manage third. Disappointing as he may have been, that was a still a fair standard for a maiden hurdle, won by High Definition, while the second went on to get closest to Ashroe Diamond in the Grade 3 Solerina at Fairyhouse. Parmenion was second on his most recent start but again bumped into a smart one in Found A Fifty. He is up to two and a half miles now and should be able to get off the mark.

Lets Go Champ was returning off a huge layoff when third at Punchestown in January and provided that run has no ill effects, he should be able to mount a significant challenge. The same applies for Present Soldier, who notably beat Arctic Bresil in a point-to-point, but only his made track debut in January also. He was fourth to Seabank Bistro on that occasion and may be able to improve now.

SELECTION: PARMENION

Next best: Present Soldier

3.10 Leopardstown May Family Day Mares Maiden Hurdle 2m4f

This can go to Bop Bop Bobbin, who has gradually been improving in bumpers and may be able to take it to another level facing a longer trip over hurdles. She finished third at this track on her debut earlier in the season and her latest effort was a creditable fifth to Fun Fun Fun in the Grade 2 mares’ bumper at the Dublin Racing Festival. She led into the straight that day before fading back, but still boxed on well, and looks like she’d appreciate a trip like today’s.

Down The Park is an intriguing runner for Barry Connell, who has acquired the mare from Garrett Ahern after she ran promisingly on debut in a Fairyhouse bumper in December. A 33/1 shot that day, she seemed to race greenly, but stayed on gradually when the penny dropped. Image Du Large is an interesting French recruit for Colin Motherway, having last been seen finishing third in a chase at La Roche-Posay.

SELECTION: BOP BOP BOBBIN

Next best: Down The Park

3.45 Leopardstown Members Mares Handicap Hurdle 2m4f

Gaoth Chuil is taken to prosper back over this longer trip after a decent effort in the Paddy Mullins at the Dublin Racing Festival. Racing over just short of two miles and two furlongs there, she led into the straight but seemed to get outpaced from here, eventually finishing ninth. Previously she had finished third to Green Glory over this course and distance and prior to that, she won over two miles and five furlongs at Tramore.

Lizlucky probably bumped into a well-handicapped mare in Birdie Blitz at Punchestown on her previous start. She wasn’t disgraced when fourth in a listed mares’ hurdle at Punchestown prior to that and could be well treated herself now off a rating of 104. Bynx ran a fine race on her handicap hurdle debut over this trip at Gowran and appeals as another who can raise a challenge off her current mark.

SELECTION: GAOTH CHUIL

Next best: Lizlucky

4.20 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Rated Novice Chase 2m1f

Irish Blaze could be tough to beat back over this shorter trip. He raced too freely over two and a half miles on heavy ground at Gowran Park last time, but he was still in there fighting when unseating at the last so it was a fair effort. Prior to that he was an eight-length second to Limerick Lace in a two-mile novice chase at Down Royal. That form looks a lot sharper now given than mare’s subsequent win off a mark of 134 in a good handicap chase at Naas.

Tyre Kicker is the big danger, chasing a hat-trick of wins for Gavin Cromwell. He showed a good attitude to get the better of Made In The Woods at Punchestown for the latest of those wins. Mattie’s Mountain was disappointing when last seen but had finished second on both runs before that and may be able to bounce back.

SELECTION: IRISH BLAZE

Next best: Tyre Kicker

4.55 Carrickmines Handicap Chase (Grade B) 2m5f

Birchdale can add to his good record around this course. He won the Leopardstown Handicap Chase over this distance at last year’s Dublin Racing Festival and put up another good run when fourth to The Goffer in the same race last month. He can run off the same mark of 135 again in what looks a less competitive contest, with Aidan Kelly also back on him to take off 7lb.

Jerandme is a big threat. He was second in this race last season and runs off just a 2lb higher mark. He comes into race off similar preparation - a decent effort at Dundalk - so this may have been a reasonably long-term plan. Panda Boy was only beaten three quarters of a length in the Paddy Power and a replication of that effort will see him heavily involved.

He is lightly raced and can improve further but the step back in trip might be a slight negative. Ilikethewayurthinkin is also noted. He wasn’t unfancied when unseating his rider early here behind The Goffer and he has lots of previous form over hurdles and fences that suggest he can be very competitive off a mark of 135, with the first-time blinkers also applied.

SELECTION: BIRCHDALE

Next best: Ilikethewayurthinkin

5.30 Ballinteer (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race 2m

A tentative vote goes to Paul Nolan’s Iceberg Theory in what is a tricky race to assess given all bar two of the field in this four-year-olds’ bumper are making their debut. This son of Flemensfirth is out of a dam who herself was smart bumper performer, finishing second on debut before winning a listed contest on her second start.

Base Of Fire is an interesting contender for Richard O’Brien and will carry the colours of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede. He is a half brother to Glan, who has run to a good level for Gordon Elliott. Sattam was fourth to Cut The Rope on his debut at Naas and may be able to put that experience to good use.

SELECTION: ICEBERG THEORY

Next best: Base Of Fire