1.20 A.M. Transport Supporting Kill GAA Rated Hurdle 1m 7f 175y

This contest has become an excellent guide to the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival, providing the winner of that race four out of the five seasons, and while many will feel a few of these are likely being plotted up, it’s worth noting three of those four winners won here. Pacini makes most appeal, as not only has he got a progressive profile, but he’s not absolutely certain of a run in the Boodles given his current Irish mark of 116. The son of Poet’s Word has progressed on each of his three runs this term, most recently winning his maiden at Fairyhouse in mid December and it is interesting that he reappears here 56 days later.

Lark In The Mornin has been a buzz horse in the division but has yet to live up to that touting. He could do so here, but Nara has a better looking profile. Henry de Bromhead’s filly, a listed winner on debut at Auteuil, was last seen finishing a 22-length fourth to Nurburgring in a Grade 3 at Fairyhouse on only her second ever run and her first run after her debut, 229 days previously. This looks more manageable, and again, it’s interesting connections have opted to keep her back to run here.

SELECTION: PACINI

Next best: Nara

1.55 Red Mills EBF Auction

Novice Hurdle 2m 3f 21y

Answer To Kayf brings Grade 2 form into this auction novice hurdle courtesy of a fine third to Loughglynn at Limerick, but he looks vulnerable conceding weight to lesser exposed types in this contest. The Willie Mullins-trained Captain Cody is one of those, and despite his wild short price at Gowran Park last time, he was still impressive, scoring on debut and proving his ability to jump and travel through a heavy surface. He has the measure of Backtonormal on that outing, and has the scope to improve further again.

Blizzard Of Oz is the other Mullins runner, and he could be dangerous after his comfortable two-length score over Killaney King at Punchestown, for all that form was let down since.

SELECTION: CAPTAIN CODY

Next best: Blizzard Of Oz

2.30 Cavan Developments Kill GAA Maiden Hurdle 2m 3f 21y

It might be worth taking a chance on Gold In The Rivers on just his second start. Gordon Elliott’s gelding failed to get into the maiden hurdle dominated by Jade De Grugy on his debut at Leopardstown, but did make late gains once he got the hang of things, and could well improve. More significantly, this looks like a step down the ladder, and that might help the half-brother to five-time winner and Champion Bumper third Wait For Me.

Glen Kiln has some good form, most notably on his most recent start when chasing home Spread Boss Ted. A replication of that should see him go well here, while Union Station showed up well first time out when third to Tullyhill at this track.

SELECTION: GOLD IN THE RIVERS

Next best: Glen Kiln

3.05 Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle 1m 7f 175y

Whiskeywealth makes plenty of appeal here competing off a 12lb lower mark over hurdles but he was by no means a certain winner when he took a heavy fall late on his most recent run over hurdles and has since disappointed back over fences. It might be worth taking a chance on Tempo Chapter Two, who has his first start for Paul Flynn. He was a beaten faller last time over fences but probably doesn’t stay that two-mile-five-furlong trip and basically ran to his chase mark of 117 when fifth to The King Of Prs at Wexford prior to that. He is 5lb lower over hurdles, and 15lb below his peak rating. He likes soft ground and this trip, and maybe a change of scenery can work the oracle.

Champion Green looks attractively handicapped over hurdles, especially when you consider how well he was going to run over this course and distance around this time last season. A drop back to this trip could help.

SELECTION: TEMPO CHAPTER TWO

Next best: Champion Green

3.40 Listed BBA Ireland Ltd

Opera Hat Mares Chase 2m

Maskada looks the one to beat. Soft ground and this trip look to be her bag, and she showed that in no uncertain terms when winning the Grand Annual last season, form which has been franked significantly since by the runner-up Dinoblue. She has only run twice this season, a little disappointing when fourth to Allegorie De Vassy over an extended mile and a half at Clonmel but much better when chasing home El Fabiolo and Fil Dor back over two miles in the Hilly Way. She receives weight off both Allegorie De Vassy and Riviere D’etel and that could be key also.

The former mentioned, Willie Mullins’ mare, has plenty to prove now after she trailed home 33 lengths behind Riviere D’etel at Fairyhouse, which was easily her poorest effort since joining Closutton. Riviere D’etel did look revitalised there but she is a hard mare to read, jumping to her right when second to Captain Guinness at Navan, despite the best form of her very good novice campaign when going left handed at Leopardstown and Navan. Silent Approach has had a fine season for Con O’Keeffe but is taking on a higher class of mare now.

SELECTION: MASKADA

Next best: Riviere D’etel

4.15 QuinnBet Hunters Chase 3m 174y

A tentative vote goes to Ramilies, once very highly thought of by Willie Mullns, but now an interesting project for the excellent David Christie. He has 10 lengths to find with Its On The Line, who sets the standard here, but has since bolted up twice between the flags and this heavier surface should play more to his strengths. He appeals as a good each-way alternative to the favourite.

Billaway is amazingly going for his fifth win in this race but it’s probably significant that for each of those wins, he had previously had a run that season. He has to defy a 267-day break on heavy ground today. Gordon Elliott’s pair, Hardline and Battleoverdoyen, were classy track performers and won’t be far away.

SELECTION: RAMILIES

Next best: Battleoverdoyen

4.50 Christopher Dunne

Memorial INH Flat Race 1m 7f 175y

A tentative vote goes to the Gordon Elliott-trained/owned Buckaway Freddie who is one of four debutants. Elliott’s record in bumpers is strong and this gelding is a half-brother to the very useful Slate House.

The only horse with a run is Rose Boum, Paul Nolan’s filly was sixth of 14 to Shuttle Diplomacy here last month. That wasn’t a bad effort at all and she can put that experience to good use now.

SELECTION: BUCKAWAY FREDDIE

Next best: Rose Boum