12.05 Navanracecourse.ie Handicap Hurdle (80-116) 2m 6f

King Alex is a hopeful choice. He showed some promise on his last start over hurdles when eighth in a Naas maiden won by All For Joy, and although he was beaten a long way by Chacun Pour Soi on his chasing debut at Naas in March, he wasn’t disgraced and the form of those that finished around him is quite reasonable. He is open to improvement on his return from 238 days off.

His biggest danger could come from the course and distance winner Theatre World, who comes here off a second to Spyglass Hill in a reasonable handicap hurdle at Limerick.

Bay Ambition may not be badly treated for her handicap debut, and The Church Gate is another to keep in mind.

SELECTION: KING ALEX

Next best: Theatre World

12.35 For Auction Novice Hurdle (Grade 3) 2m

This could see Abacadabras make it two wins from as many starts over hurdles. This gelding was a high-class sort in bumpers when he reached the frame in Grade 1 events at Cheltenham and Punchestown. He should have improved a good deal from his successful hurdling debut at Gowran Park last month.

Fast Buck sets a fine standard with a rating of 145. He is dropping back in trip but that isn’t a concern as he has won twice at this distance and lost nothing in defeat last time when going down to the very smart Darver Star over 2m 5f at Limerick.

Latest Exhibition is respected as his jumping career began with a taking defeat of Thatsy at Galway a fortnight ago.

SELECTION: ABACADABRAS

Next best: Fast Buck

1.05 Lismullen Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m 4f

Apple’s Jade can win this race for the third year in a row. She tends to improve from her first run of the season but she has still been able to win this race first time out for the last two years. Admittedly her form tailed off in the spring, as it did the previous season, but she looked better than ever when bringing up a Grade 1 hat-trick at one stage last season and she will take beating if still being able to perform to that level.

An obvious threat is Bacardys who ended last season with a Grade 1 second to Unowhatimeanharry. He is a very talented stayer at his best and has shown up quite well in the last editions of the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham.

SELECTION: APPLE’S JADE

Next best: Bacardys

1.35 P.S. Supplies Floors And Doors Maiden Hurdle 2m 4f

This could fall to Andy Dufresne who confirmed the promise of his point-to-point success with an impressive 10l victory over the subsequent dual bumper winner Golden Spread at Down Royal last January. He is marginally preferred to Cobbler’s Way who was an impressive winner of a Limerick bumper last Christmas – the form of that race worked out very well subsequently.

Further intrigue is supplied by the French import Eden Flight whose sole start in France yielded a victory in a 2m AQPS flat race two years ago.

SELECTION: ANDY DUFRESNE

Next best: Cobbler’s Way

2.10 Thetote.com Fortria Chase (Grade 2) 2m

A Plus Tard could take beating here. He is in receipt of 8lbs from the Arkle winner Duc Des Genievres, whom he beat in a beginners’ chase 11 months ago, and there is just 2lbs between them on ratings.

A Plus Tard would probably prefer a longer trip but this stiff 2m should suit him well and he also seems a better horse going left handed.

Duc Des Genievres is starting off for the season, as is the case with his chief rival, and he sets the standard here by virtue of his 13l demolition of the field in the Arkle at Cheltenham.

Hardline ran poorly in the Arkle but his two previous efforts at Grade 1 level entitle him to consideration.

SELECTION: A PLUS TARD

Next best: Duc Des Genievres

2.45 Hotel Park St Johann Tirol Austria Handicap Hurdle 2m

He might prefer a longer trip and he hasn’t run for 183 days, but Pilgrim Way might be the one to side with.

This former course winner is more than capable of running well off a break as he showed when finishing second on his first run for three years at Cork in April.

He followed that effort with a victory off a mark of 108 at Cork the following month and although he has to contend with a 9lb rise in the weights and a drop in distance, he should cope with both.

Pilgim Way can defeat Winner Takes Itall who progressed from a promising run at Galway to win at Listowel two months ago.

SELECTION: PILGRIM WAY

Next best: Winner Takes Itall

3.15 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Beginners Chase 2m 1f

Fakir D’Oudairies might be able to make his four-year-old allowance count. This gelding progressed into a high-class juvenile hurdler last season when he notched up runner-up finishes in Grade 1 events at Aintree and Punchestown having previously shown up well against his elders to take fourth in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.

He should make up into a very smart chaser and he is marginally preferred to the dual Champion Hurdle runner-up Melon who is a fascinating recruit to chasing.

Off You Go and the classy mare Caravation are other interesting runners.

SELECTION: FAKIR D’OUDAIRIES

Next best: Melon

3.50 Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust (Pro/Am) Flat Race 2m

Jungle Junction progressed very well from his first run to chase home Front View in a four-year-old bumper at the Punchestown Festival and could take beating if he can match that form on his comeback.

Fakir D’Alene looks a threat. He is one of three runners for his trainer, who has won this race for the last two years, and he won his sole point-to-point outing last season.

Energumene is a French-bred newcomer representing top connections and he shares his sire with Un De Sceaux. Hide Out could outrun his odds having shaped promisingly at Listowel two months ago.

SELECTION: JUNGLE JUNCTION

Next best: Fakir D’Alene