Ryan McElligott

1.50 JOHNNY MCCARTHY MEMORIAL MAIDEN HURDLE 2M

Theydon Park can put his experience to good use. He wasn’t at his best at Wexford last time but is better judged on his two previous runs which saw him reach the frame in maidens won by I See You Well and Dandy Mag. This 109-rated gelding looks capable of winning.

A Shin Impala warrants respect as a hurdling newcomer for Gordon Elliott. He is a dual winner over a mile at Dundalk and the ground could be a concern for him. From Eden should be involved, while Oromo could be interesting on his first try over hurdles.

Selection: THEYDON PARK

Next best: A Shin Impala

2.20 NORMANS GROVE CHASE (GRADE 2) 2M 1F

A most industrious season for Ball D’Arc could continue here. This term he has picked up a pair of Grade 3 events along with a €100,000 handicap over this course and distance. Form such as his 19l defeat of the subsequent Cheltenham winner Tully East at Navan reads well and he could take plenty of beating. Ballycasey is an obvious threat as he looks to build on his Red Mills Chase triumph over Clarcam.

Ballycasey is coming back in trip and he is probably at his best over 2m 4f or further but he is still a contender. On his last try at this trip he was third to Arctic Skipper in the Fortria Chase in November. Nearly Nama’d comes here off a respectable second to A Toi Phil in a Navan Grade 2 a fortnight ago. Tell Us More needs to bounce back from a rather tame effort in the County Hurdle.

Selection: BALL D’ARC

Next best: Ballycasey

2.55 HIRE2K BEGINNERS CHASE 2M 1F

Woodland Opera has been found a good opportunity to get off the mark over fences. On his three chase outings to date, he has performed to a respectable standard and he is entitled to improve from his 9¾l third to the exciting Great Field at Leopardstown last month as that was his first run for three months. The 129-rated O Ceallaigh looks the chief threat to the selection. He has been placed behind some reasonable sorts since going chasing and his latest 9l third to Don’t Touch It at Thurles a couple of months ago puts him in with a very solid chance.

Selection: WOODLAND OPERA

Next best: O’ Ceallaigh

3.30 RATHBARRY & GLENVIEW STUDS NOVICE HURDLE (GRADE 2) 2M

Following a very respectable run at Cheltenham, Brelade can make a successful return to domestic action. Already this season he has reached the frame in a couple of Grade 1s at Leopardstown and he travelled notably well at Cheltenham before his stamina seemed to give out late on, which saw him finish sixth to Willoughby Court. The return to this trip will suit him.

The progressive Bleu Berry is dangerous. He followed a course and distance maiden win with a short-head victory over Outspoken in a listed novice hurdle at Naas last month. Outspoken again has the capacity to be closely involved. Avenir D’Une Vie remains a potentially high-class hurdler and cannot be underestimed on his first outing for 138 days. He looked very promising when he won his maiden here in November.

Selection: BRELADE

Next best: Avenir D’Une Vie

4.05 EASTER FESTIVAL APRIL 16th-18th NOVICE HURDLE (GRADE 2) 2M 4F

Invitation Only remains a novice hurdler of considerable potential and the form of his two starts this season makes him the choice. On his hurdling debut he defeated the subsequent Cheltenham runner-up Barra in a Gowran Park maiden and his third to Death Duty and Monalee at Navan in December also makes for good reading. He is surely good enough to make his mark at graded level over timber.

Any Second Now lost his unbeaten record in the Naas Grade 2 won by Forge Meadow. He is definitely better than he showed there and is still open to any amount of progress after just three career outings. Runfordave is a smart and reliable sort who warrants due consideration following his good third in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham.

Selection: INVITATION ONLY

Next best: Any Second Now

4.40 GREAT VALUE ONLINE NOVICE HANDICAP HURDLE 2M 4F

This could provide Nicole’s Milan with his third win of the season at this track. The improving six-year-old first won over 3m before then coping with a drop back to 2m 4f to follow up in February. He met with defeat when going for a hat-trick at Navan last time but still didn’t run at all badly in finishing a 15l third to Mad Brian. He should still play a major role despite being 8lbs higher than when last successful.

Bilbo Baggins was well adrift of Nicole’s Milan on his penultimate start but he then won at Navan a month ago where he came from a seemingly impossible position to deny Camlann. There is more to come from him over hurdles. Close Shave was fourth to Bilbo Baggins at Navan and is 6lbs better off for a 7l beating. He can improve on that run as it was his first venture into handicaps.

Selection: NICOLE’S MILAN

Next best: Bilbo Baggins

5.10 BOOK EASTER FESTIVAL TICKETS HANDICAP HURDLE (80-95) 2M 4F

The Church Gate should gain this prize. Unlike many of his rivals he comes here in good heart as he was only denied on the line in a Limerick handicap won by Be My Vinnie a fortnight ago and before that he finished a ¾l to Coole Craft at Thurles. Those efforts came over 3m and 2m so this intermediate trip will not be a problem for him. Simple Steps will have to improve on what she has shown over hurdles but she has been running sufficiently well over fences to be considered a strong contender for this race.

Selection: THE CHURCH GATE

Next best: Simple Steps