2.00 Easter Festival 19th - 21st April Maiden Hurdle 2m 4f

Recent Navan runner-up Smooth Scotch has every chance of going one place better today.

A lightly-raced type despite his age, the Stuart Crawford-trained eight-year-old has shown enough to suggest he can win an ordinary maiden such as this.

Having reached the frame on both starts over course and distance, this looks a good opportunity to make the breakthrough.

Butcher Hollow, who finished one place behind the selection at Navan, has every chance of reversing that form. Tom Cooper’s gelding should be at his peak now on his third run back after an absence.

SELECTION: SMOOTH SCOTCH

Next Best: Butcher Hollow

2.35 Paddy Kehoe Suspended Ceilings Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m 4f

Following a respectable effort in the Albert Bartlett over three miles last month, the Gordon Elliott-trained Wingmen can resume winning ways.

A maiden hurdle winner at Navan in November, the Bective Stud-owned gelding subsequently reached the frame in two Grade 1 races before finishing mid-division at the Festival. Dropping back half-a-mile can see him get his head back in front.

Eastern Legend looks just the type to progress further having finally opened his account over hurdles last time.

The Jim Bolger trained five-year-old is a classy flat horse who has the potential to develop into a smart performer over flights.

SELECTION: WINGMEN

Next Best: Eastern Legend

3.07 Fairyhouse Easter Festival, It’s Tradition Novice Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f

Aurea Fortuna is a lightly-raced six-year-old who has shown improved form of late. Runner-up over three miles at Punchestown in early December, the Tony Martin-trained gelding showed that he had races in him when third at the Leopardstown Festival over Christmas.

A strong traveller who doesn’t always find as much as expected, this sharper track should prove ideal.

Crescent Moon has to be of interest, representing leading connections. A staying-on fourth at Leopardstown last time, the Gavin Cromwell trained mare is worth stepping back up in trip.

SELECTION: AUREA FORTUNA

Next Best: Crescent Moon

3.37 Donohue Marquees Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m

Supreme Novices’ Hurdle fourth Karniquet can exploit this easier opportunity.

A maiden hurdle winner at Tramore in November, the five-year-old struggled on his initial attempt at Grade 1 level at Leopardstown over Christmas.

However, he benefited from that experience to finish runner-up at the highest-level at the Dublin Racing Festival before his creditable effort at Cheltenham.

The lightly-raced Irancy has the potential to improve further. Although three places behind the selection and stablemate in the Supreme, the J.P. McManus-owned gelding was having just his third career start over flights and his first at Grade 1 level.

SELECTION: KARNIQUET

Next Best: Irancy

4.12 Whistlin’ Donkeys @ Fairyhouse Easter Saturday Handicap Hurdle 3m

Stepping back up to this trip should enable the Cian Collins-trained Crossing The Bar to make his presence felt. Runner-up over course and distance in early January, the eight-year-old went one place better at Catterick next time. Although only fourth at Thurles recently, that turned into something of a tactical affair which wasn’t run to suit.

Topgun Simmy has to enter calculations despite his big weight. Shark Hanlon’s charge ran one of his better races when runner-up in a bumper here on what was only the second start of his career. With a proven ability to act around this track and strong recent form over hurdles, he has to be a threat.

SELECTION: CROSSING THE BAR

Next Best: Topgun Simmy

4.47 BoyleSports Supporting Irish Racing Handicap Hurdle 2m

The Tony Mullins-trained Oakley can confirm the belief that he is a well-handicapped horse over hurdles. A dual winner on the flat, the seven-year-old has shown enough in his short career over jumps to date to suggest a mark of 98 underestimates his ability. While likely to require a stronger test of stamina in the future, he had the pace to win over 10 furlongs on the level.

Mooretown Lad could be dangerous on his handicap debut. John McConnell’s five-year-old has shown little over hurdle to date but is undeniably well-treated relative to his flat mark.

SELECTION: OAKLEY

Next Best: Mooretown Lad

5.22 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Total Enjoyment Mares INH Flat Race (Listed) 2m

Course-and-distance winner Future Prospect can return to winning ways. A point-to-point winner at Castlelands last March, the daughter of Order Of St George made an impressive racecourse debut here in December.

Sent off favourite for a Grade 2 bumper at the Dublin Racing Festival she proved slightly disappointing when only fifth. With that effort almost certainly not her true running, she can get back on track.

Carrigmoornaspruce, who finished two places in front of the selection at Leopardstown, has to have every chance. A dual bumper winner, the Declan Queally-trained mare commands plenty of respect.

SELECTION: FUTURE PROSPECT

Next Best: Carrigmoornaspruce