1.00 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Beginners Chase 2m 3f

Something Sweet could be worth taking a chance on. She has plenty of experience over fences already and has shown up well in a few handicaps, notably when second to Lord Lariat at Fairyhouse a few months ago. On her latest start at Leopardstown she showed up quite well to finish sixth behind Midnight Maestro and this race isn’t at all as competitive.

Her biggest threat could come from Miss Pernickety who started out over fences with a respectable fourth to stablemate Scarlet And Dove in quite a reasonable mare’s beginners’ chase at Limerick late last month.

SELECTION: SOMETHING SWEET

Next best: Miss Pernickety

1.30 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Novice Chase 2m

After his below-par debut over fences at Tipperary in the autumn, for which there was a legitimate excuse, Captain Guinness bounced back with a pleasing effort in a beginners’ chase over this trip at Punchestown last month when he defeated Midnight Run by just under 5l. That Punchestown effort suggested he could yet take a high rank amongst the 2m novice chasers in this country.

He can see off Energumene whose chasing career got off to an impressive start when he bolted up in a 2m 4f event on testing ground at Gowran Park in November.

The drop back to this trip won’t be a problem for Energumene and he is a formidable rival for the selection.

Blackbow, formerly a high-class bumper horse, was an early casualty in a Leopardstown Grade 1 last month having previously posted a taking success at Navan. A clear run should see him mount a strong challenge for victory.

SELECTION: CAPTAIN GUINNESS

Next best: Energumene

2.00 Eastcoast Seafood & Gouldings Hardware

Handicap Chase 2m

Emily Moon can build on an encouraging effort at Leopardstown 15 days ago where she was only collared late in the day in a 2m handicap chase in which she finished a 2l third to Uisce Beatha. The drop back to the minimum trip at Leopardstown appeared to suit her very well and she must have every chance in a race that doesn’t look as competitive.

Epson Du Houx has more to offer over fences and can be rated a notable threat to Emily Moon. He showed up well on his chasing debut at Wexford until falling late on in a race won by Andy Dufresne and he followed up with a smooth victory in a rated beginners’ chase at Clonmel early last month.

Jack Hackett was ninth in the Leopardstown race contested by Emily Moon but ran far better than his final position would suggest.

SELECTION: EMILY MOON

Next best: Epson Du Houx

3.00 INH Stallion Owners

EBF Maiden Hurdle 2m

A chance is taken on Julies Stowaway who won a good Navan bumper last season and showed up well to finish seventh to Ferny Hollow at Cheltenham. He has been beaten on his first two outings over hurdles but he progressed from his first run to finish a ½l second to Blue Lord at Punchestown next time and he can do better still over hurdles.

Grand Paradis looked a nice prospect when he made a winning debut in a Fairyhouse bumper in late November and he should make a nice novice hurdler over the coming months.

In a race with plenty of depth, another likely candidate is On Eagles Wings. He is a dual bumper winner, accounting for some useful types along the way. He comes here off a respectable 8l second to the very smart looking Chemical Energy in a Down Royal bumper just over two months ago. He too should make up into a useful jumper.

SELECTION: JULIES STOWAWAY

Next best: Grand Paradis

3.30 Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle (80-116) 2m 3f

Castle Town House lacks the experience of many of his rivals but he looks like one who can definitely win his share of races. He showed promise to finish fifth to Percy Warner in a Navan maiden last month and did better again at Limerick over Christmas when he finished a 2¼l second to the 138-rated Ciel De Neige in a maiden hurdle. He can surely improve again on just his fourth racecourse outing and looks reasonably treated on a mark of 98.

He is preferred to Uisce Solais who is dropping markedly in grade following a thoroughly respectable sixth-place finish in the Brown Lad Handicap Hurdle here in November.

A good showing from Two Shoe Tom wouldn’t surprise as she shaped quite well at Leopardstown last month before fading into fifth in a handicap won by Burlesque Queen.

SELECTION: CASTLE TOWN

HOUSE

Next best: Uisce Solais

4.00 Rushes Supervalu

(Pro/Am) Flat Race 2m

An interesting edition of the first four-year-old bumper of the year with some notable pedigrees on show. Belle Metal is a hopeful selection to strike for Willie Mullins. The daughter of Soldier Of Fortune is the first produce of a Westerner half-sister to her trainer’s Galway Plate second Themoonandisxpence.

Eyewitness makes notable appeal as a Dark Angel half-brother to the Breeders’ Cup Mile scorer Expert Eye, whereas Regal Statesman is a Walk In The Park half-brother to his trainer’s Cheltenham Festival victor Nobel Prince.

Rocket Carnival comes from the immediate family of the top-class filly Winter and Cherry Corner is a half-sister to the high-class jumper J’y Vole.

SELECTION: BELLE METAL

Next best: Eyewitness