1.00 Meath Farm Machinery Maiden Hurdle 2m
Michael O’Callaghan has only run eight horses over jumps in the last five seasons, so hurdling debutant Positive Energy has to be of interest.
A winner at this track on his most recent outing on the level, the Make Believe gelding looks an ideal type for National Hunt racing.
Rhythm Of Life, a half-sister to a listed bumper winner, catches the eye on debut. On pedigree, the French-bred filly should be very much at home in the likely testing conditions.
Trainer Gordon Elliott has a quartet of runners in this race but the daughter of Bathyrhon may prove best.
SELECTION: POSITIVE ENERGY
Next Best: Rhythm Of Life
1.35 Pick Your Places At BoyleSports Mares Maiden Hurdle 2m
Point-to-point winner Swing Davis can open her account over hurdles at the third attempt. Listed-placed in a bumper at this track on her rules debut, the Gordon Elliott-trained mare has run with credit on three subsequent starts. A faller at Fairyhouse last time, she can register a first success, if none the worse for that experience.
The form of the Punchestown race, in which Dee’s Lady finished second, has been well advertised of late.
Both the third and fourth horses won their maidens next time out. The Philip Dempsey-trained five-year-old has to hold strong claims of going one better under Keith Donoghue.
SELECTION: SWING DAVIS
Next Best: Dee’s Lady
2.10 BoyleSports Money Back On Every Race At Cheltenham Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f
It could pay to take a chance on Zoffanien on his first start over hurdles for Terence O’Brien. Third on the flat at Galway on his stable debut last July, the gelding acquitted himself well in three subsequent runs.
Given that his latest hurdles win came off a mark of 132, he looks well-treated here off just 121, with jockey John Shinnick taking a further 5lb off.
Fairyhouse winner Mickie Angel is an obvious danger, despite receiving an 11lb hike.
Gavin Cromwell’s grey appreciated dropping back in trip, having run too free over three miles on his previous start. He could still be ahead of the handicapper.
SELECTION: ZOFFANIEN
Next Best: Mickie Angel
2.45 Navan Maiden Hurdle 2m 6f 100yds
This looks a good opportunity for the Gordon Elliott-trained Sermandzarak to register a first hurdles success. Unbeaten in two bumpers, the five-year-old has filled the runner-up position twice since switching to jumping. Off an official rating of 130, he looks the one to beat in what appears a relatively weak race for the grade. Flemensface has to be respected on his third start for present connections. A former Cork bumper winner, there has been enough promise on both runs since returning from a long absence to suggest he retains plenty of ability.
SELECTION: SERMANDZARAK
Next Best: Flemensface
3.20 Flyingbolt Novice Chase (Grade 3) 2m
Grade 1-winning hurdler Champ Kiely should make his class tell, despite dropping back in distance.
A winner at the highest level over two miles, four furlongs at Naas, the Willie Mullins-trained gelding also boasts a Grade 3 hurdles victory at the minimum trip.
Impressive over two miles and five furlongs at Fairyhouse on his chasing debut, he was far from disgraced at Leopardstown last time.
Jeannot Lapin was hugely impressive on his racecourse debut over two miles and a furlong at Leopardstown over Christmas. Fourth in Grade 1 company back at that venue last time, he should find this easier.
SELECTION: CHAMP KIELY
Next Best: Jeannot Lapin
3.50 BoyleSports Webster Cup Chase (Grade 2) 2m 4f 90yds
The 2023 Arkle winner El Fabiolo can gain a much-needed confidence booster. Twice successful at Grade 1 level following that Festival victory, the Willie Mullins-trained eight-year-old has failed to complete on two of his last three starts.
A high-class chaser at his best, the 174-rated gelding should make his class count.
Stablemate Grangeclare West arrives here in fine heart, having finished runner-up in the Irish Gold Cup last time. This intermediate trip should prove no issue for the lightly-raced nine-year-old.
SELECTION: EL FABIOLO
Next Best: Grangeclare West
4.20 Nas Na Riogh Novice Handicap Chase (Listed)
2m 4f 90yds
Shannon Royale can overcome top-weight here with the assistance of Carl Millar’s 5lb allowance. The Gordon Elliott-trained seven-year-old had run with credit against decent novices prior to disappointing last time.
Given that he was making his handicap debut against vastly more experienced rivals, he is readily forgiven that below par effort.
A winning point-to-pointer and hurdler, No Flies On Him failed to build on that initial promise. However, with just the four runs over fences to date, there is still time for the Edward O’Grady-trained six-year-old to fulfil his potential.
SELECTION: SHANNON ROYALE
Next Best: No Flies On Him
4.55 NavanRacecourse.ie Mares Handicap Chase 2m 4f 90yds
Placed over both fences and hurdles of late, Lilian Bland arrives here in better form than the majority of rivals. A former point-to-point winner, the nine -year-old should have no issues with either trip or ground.
Tankardstown Diva also holds claims for local Meath trainer, Ian Donoghue. In with every chance when falling at the final fence at Down Royal over Christmas, the mare may just have needed recent confidence boosters.
SELECTION: LILIAN BLAND
Next Best: Tankardstown Diva