1.20 PSIL Property Maintenance Supporting Kill GAA Rated Hurdle 1m 7f 158yd

A race that tends to throw up Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle clues for Cheltenham. Kurasso Blue held an entry for the Grade 1 juvenile hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival and is one of only two entries in the Triumph Hurdle for Gordon Elliott, so he is worthy of automatic respect on his stable debut. Racing in the Robcour colours now, having won at Auteuil on his hurdling bow in September, he possibly won’t have enough runs in time to be a Boodles candidate and it will be interesting to see how much market confidence there is behind the Masked Marvel gelding.

Murcia, a 12-length listed winner at Auteuil, disappointed on her first start for Willie Mullins in a Grade 2 at Leopardstown over Christmas and now returns with the tongue-tie she wore in France refitted. Bacchanalian didn’t run badly when beaten 10 and a half lengths by Hello Neighbour in Grade 1 company at the Dublin Racing Festival last week, though this is a quick turnaround and his third run in a month. Castleheath is stepping up in class after showing a nice turn of foot to win a maiden hurdle off a steady gallop at Punchestown last time. He could have progression to come, though will be required to step up.

SELECTION: KURASSO BLUE

Next best: Castleheath

1.55 Connolly’s RED MILLS Irish EBF Auction Novice Hurdle

2m 2f 101yd

Declan Queally spoke encouragingly that A Tipp For Gold could be better than his mark of 125 ahead of his stable debut at the Dublin Racing Festival last weekend, though he was pulled up after reportedly losing his action after the seventh hurdle. It’s not an ideal preparation, but it can be taken that he’s none the worse for that experience if he’s lining up here, and these are calmer waters for him. A two-mile maiden hurdle winner, he should be comfortable with this trip too.

Koori Star, a good fourth in a valuable handicap hurdle at Navan last month, comes out best at the weights and is of obvious interest for Peter Fahey. Coral River got back on track with a likeable performance to win a Gowran auction maiden hurdle on Thyestes Day and isn’t out of it by any means, while Scalpnagoon is in better company than last time when winning at Thurles.

SELECTION: A TIPP FOR GOLD

Next best: Koori Star

2.30 Cavan Developments

Supporting Kill GAA Maiden Hurdle 2m 2f 101yd

A tricky maiden hurdle, in which the market will be worth keeping an eye on. Autoportrait has threatened to win one of these over different trips, but doesn’t set an insurmountable standard. Paul Townend appears to prefer Jump Allen over Road To Home of the Willie Mullins pair, though he’ll need to improve from his first two starts in this sphere to collect.

Peaceinthevalley is an intriguing runner on his rules debut (unlucky loser when unseating while in front in a point-to-point). However, he hasn’t been seen since that appearance between the flags in May and Henry de Bromhead - albeit among the winners at Thurles on Thursday - has been experiencing a quiet run.

All things considered, it could be worth taking a chance on Lovely Hurling, especially if the market spoke in his favour. The Colm Murphy-trained six-year-old, owned by J.P. McManus, is a half-brother to the same connections’ useful types Cadatharla and Goraibhmaithagat, and created a decent impression when winning a bumper at Wexford when last seen in May.

His lack of a recent run isn’t ideal, however, and this looks a race to tread carefully in.

SELECTION: LOVELY HURLING

Next best: Autoportrait

3.05 Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle 1m 7f 158yd

Ragmans Corner and Well Dressed both went up 12lb for last-time-out victories and appear the standout contenders in a potentially winnable enough race, if able to return in the same type of form. Minor preference is for Ger Keane’s Punchestown scorer, who appeared to appreciate getting onto soft ground last time, when winning with ease. Tom Harney looks a decent booking in this race for conditional riders, who haven’t lost their 7lb claim.

Well Dressed was a similarly comprehensive scorer at Fairyhouse last time under the same rider as today. Doctor Churchill also struck by a wide margin here last month and is up 10lb, though few were able to get into that contest run in difficult conditions.

SELECTION: RAGMANS CORNER

Next best: Well Dressed

3.40 Christopher Dunne

Memorial (Pro/Am) Bumper

1m 7f 158yd

A five-runner, four-year-old bumper, in which only one of these has run (Shabra Diya beaten 22 lengths on debut in fifth of eight). Apples Jane, the first foal out of the mighty Apple’s Jade, is a fascinating newcomer for Gordon Elliott and her owner-breeders Bective Stud. She’s reportedly not the biggest, and hence that might be why connections have opted to claim 7lb off her back with Josh Williamson, but she apparently has a fine attutude. All eyes will be on the Walk In The Park filly.

Harry Swan rides the stable’s other runner, Eternal Echo, a home-bred Fascinating Rock newcomer for Newtown Anner Stud. He’s been hooded for his debut. Tom Mullins’ two runners, Facile Ocean and Our Sonny, hail from families that the trainer has had success with.

SELECTION: APPLES JANE

Next best: Eternal Echo

4.15 BBA Ireland Limited Opera Hat Mares Chase (Listed) 2m

A disappointing turnout with just three runners and Willie Mullins will expect to collect with one of his two contenders. Dinoblue might be able to continue a fine run for J.P. McManus, now dropping in class from finishing fourth behind Solness in Grade 1 company at Leopardstown over Christmas. She was second to Magic Daze in this race two years ago, but is a course-and-distance winner and could be able to overcome being 3lb wrong at the weights with her main rival.

Allegorie De Vassy, seeking back-to-back wins in the race, has two ways of running. Her best form obviously makes her a formidable opponent to the selection, but she has been a beaten favourite in the past at odds of 1/3, 4/9, 8/13, 11/8 and 13/8 - that makes her difficult for punters to have complete trust in. A clear round will see Must Be Obeyed collect more blacktype.

SELECTION: DINOBLUE

Next best: Allegorie De Vassy

4.50 QuinnBet Hunters Chase 3m 1f

Given his spring festival heroics last term, Its On The Line is surely being trained to peak for the latter half of the season and can follow up his win in this race last year on his way to Cheltenham. He’s fully entitled to sharpen up for his first start of the season when second at Down Royal on St Stephen’s Day.

The rival who beat the top hunter chaser on that occasion, David Christie’s Big Interest, was also returning from a lengthy absence at Down Royal so could have improvement of his own to come. He’s completely unexposed and rates a useful prospect in this division. Ontheropes made his first start between the flags a winning one for Tom Mullins last month and was classy on his day for Willie Mullins, so could be one to win plenty of races in this division after getting his head in front again.

SELECTION: ITS ON THE LINE

Next best: Big Interest