Kevin Blake

1.55 JUMPS RETURNS TO FAIRYHOUSE MAIDEN HURDLE 2M

Chance It would not get a better opportunity to win a maiden hurdle than this. The six-year-old is probably well summed up by his official rating of 100, but that sets the standard here and if he can run up to his best he is likely to go close. Market support for the Noel Meade-trained newcomer Gleesons Tipp would be very much respected.

Selection: CHANCE IT

Next Best: Gleesons Tipp

2.30 BOBBYJO BISTRO GREAT VALUE FOOD MAIDEN HURDLE 2M 4F

Gordon Elliott had a strong set of entries for this race and that he relies on the hurdling debutant Stolen Diamond could well be significant. The son of Stowaway won a bumper at Bellewstown in August and won’t need to be a star in the making to get off the mark over hurdles at the first time of asking in this. Of those with hurdling experience, the Pat Doyle-trained Tinos Tank has solid prospects based on his encouraging return from an absence at Listowel .

Selection: STOLEN DIAMOND

Next Best: Tinos Tank

3.05 WINTER FESTIVAL DECEMBER 3RD &4TH BEGINNERS CHASE 2M

This brings together some promising sorts, but they will all have to go to get the better of the Gordon Elliott-trained Ball D’Arc. The five-year-old is rated 140 over hurdles and has the benefit of both race fitness and previous experience over fences following his promising chasing debut at Listowel last month in which he finished second to Three Stars. He seems sure to come on from that and sets a good standard. The main danger to him may come from another Gigginstown-owned contender, if he runs, in the shape of the Henry de Bromhead-trained Attribution, a 131-rated hurdler who promises to make into a useful novice chaser.

Selection: BALL D’ARC

Next Best: Attribution

3.40 CHRISTMAS PARTY DECEMBER 17 (M) BEGINNERS CHASE 2M 5F

An interesting maiden chase and Gordon Elliott again looks to have the one to beat in the shape of Whistle Dixie. The full-sister to Kicking King was perhaps a shade disappointing over hurdles given how promising she looked in bumpers, but fences promise to bring the best out of her and it wouldn’t surprise to see her make a winning start over the larger obstacles here. Of those with previous chasing experience, the Michelle Gannon-trained Missyspet will have solid prospects if ready to go on her return from a summer break.

Selection: WHISTLE DIXIE

Next Best: Missyspet

4.15 SHELBOURNE FC RACE DAY HANDICAP HURDLE (80-95) (DIV I) 2M 4F

A chance is taken on the Gordon Elliott-trained Steamboat Quay. The five-year-old shaped nicely in a handicap hurdle at Galway last month, but proved disappointing when sent off favourite for a similar contest at Navan last time. He is selected in the hope that he can bounce back and belatedly build on the promise of his Galway run. Of his rivals, Artists Daughter has been acquitting himself well in similar contests of late and should be on the premises once again.

Selection: STEAMBOAT QUAY

Next Best: Artists Daughter

4.50 SHELBOURNE FC RACE DAY HANDICAP HURDLE (80-95) (DIV II) 2M 4F

The Donald Cashman-trained Bobbythegangster is worth support. The six-year-old has only run four times over hurdles and showed improvement on his handicap debut at Tramore last time, finishing third to Craig Star despite losing a shoe. He is entitled to improve again and is a contender. The main danger to him could well be the Denis Hogan-trained Bawnmore Lass, with the five-year-old having improved significantly to finish second in a handicap hurdle at Ballinrobe last time.

Selection: BOBBYTHEGANGSTER

Next Best: Bawnmore Lass

5:25 EASTER FESTIVAL 2017 HANDICAP HURDLE 2M

Enda Bolger has made a solid start to the new season and he could have the answer to this puzzle in the shape of William Du Berlais. The five-year-old has only had four starts over hurdles, winning a maiden at Kilbeggan prior to running well on his handicap debut back at that track last time.

He can be expected to come on from that and is likely to go close. Of the rest, the Boots Madden-trained Shake The Bucket has to come into calculations with him coming into this race in fine form.

Selection: WILLIAM DU BERLAIS

Next Best: Shake The Bucket

5.25 FAIRYHOUSE ON TWITTER INH FLAT RACE 2M

An interesting bumper to wrap up the card and marginal preference is given to the Gordon Elliott-trained Hardline. The son of Arcadio won a point-to-point at Punchestown in February prior to being sent off at just 5/1 for the Land Rover Bumper. He shaped well for a long way prior to weakening late in that contest and this is a notably weaker company. Market support for him on his return to action would be encouraging. Of the newcomers, the Jessica Harrington-trained Calm Chaos catches the eye and is worth monitoring in the market.

Selection: HARDLINE

Next Best: Calm Chaos