1.45 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle 2m 3f

With Gordon Elliott and Danny Gilligan on an excellent run at present, Mel Monroe gets a tentative nod in a maiden hurdle that doesn’t appear to be overflowing with quality. A Galway Festival runner-up who hasn’t been seen since finishing fourth on her hurdling bow last December, she ought to be bang there if sharp enough on her return from a break.

Angelsworknovrtime ran well against the boys on her comeback at Limerick and is feared most, while Henry de Bromhead-trained newcomer Jacks Fancy isn’t without a chance on paper. He is entitled to improve for the experience, though.

SELECTION: MEL MONROE

Next best: Angelsworknovrtime

2.20 AJC Group Opportunity Handicap Hurdle 2m 1f 65yds

Ask The Leader posted a solid showing when runner-up on his first start since October at this venue last month and he could go one better under Michael O’Sullivan. All three of his wins have come at this track, admittedly over a little further, but the drop in trip isn’t overly concerning.

Vale Of Glory is up 6lb for winning at Punchestown and should be on the premises. Recent Tramore runner-up Craic Eile might give the selection most to think about, though, if able to reproduce that type of effort.

SELECTION: ASK THE LEADER

Next best: Craic Eile

2.55 Randox (Q.R.) Handicap Hurdle 2m 5f 60yds

Hockworthy Flyer ran creditably when second in a similar event here last month and could be up to going one better if continuing her progression. The Andy McNamara-trained mare will probably be vulnerable if meeting a well-handicapped sort but this doesn’t look a deep race and she seems to enjoy decent ground.

Philip Rothwell has his team in good order at present and it wouldn’t be a shock if Beechroad Winnie showed up well, having offered some encouragement when fourth on her return from a break at Tramore a fortnight ago.

SELECTION: HOCKWORTHY FLYER

Next best: Beechroad Winnie

3.30 Tote Always SP Or Better At Downpatrick Handicap Chase 2m 3f 55yds

Bal Kauto arrives here in fine form, seeking a hat-trick, and can take advantage of what looks a good opportunity. A handicap chase open to horses rated as high as 109, he is one of only two runners with a triple-figure rating and three of the seven-strong field are out of the handicap (rated 79 or lower).

A 10lb rise for the selection’s latest win at Clonmel doesn’t make life any easier but he’s only a six-year-old - making him the youngest runner in the line-up - and he should be able to cope with this drop back in trip.

Tick Along hasn’t been seen over fences since 2020 but won here two starts ago and could show up well, while Diamondinthemud is bound to appreciate this drop in class from her last outing at Kilbeggan.

SELECTION: BAL KAUTO

Next best: Diamondinthemud

4.05 Downpatrick Welcomes Racing TV Club Members Opportunity Beginners Chase 2m 7f 110yds

He has to bounce back from a no-show at Kilbeggan 13 days ago but Priory Park’s experience over fences should stand him in good stead in this company and the change of headgear could help his cause. When trying cheekpieces for the first time, he was only beaten a head at Fairyhouse in February and now connections reach for a visor for the first time.

The well-bred Some Dove proved disappointing on her chasing debut at Limerick but would be a live player if bouncing back. Magheralin Mick might be the biggest threat for Gavin Cromwell after finishing a respectable third at Kilbeggan two starts ago.

SELECTION: PRIORY PARK

Next best: Magheralin Mick

4.40 Try Racing TV For Free Now At racingtv.com/freetrial Handicap Chase 2m 7f 110yds

A 546-day absence is off-putting but this could be a golden chance for Ardhill to capitalise on his attractive chasing mark of 101. He scored readily when well-backed in an Ascot handicap hurdle off a British mark of 104 - but that most recent start came in December 2021 so it can be assumed he hasn’t been the easiest to train since. This is not a classy event, though, and he should prove better than his rating over fences, with Danny Gilligan’s 7lb claim an added bonus.

Chasing debutant Iridescent showed his well-being with a five-length win at Ballinrobe last month and makes most appeal of the remainder.

SELECTION: ARDHILL

Next best: Iridescent

5.10 Tennents NI (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race 2m 3f

Gordon Elliott has a 25% strike rate in bumpers at Downpatrick and Arabian Diamond should be able to enhance that statistic.

He posed a couple of seconds on his last two starts, including when only beaten half a length at Kilbeggan 13 days ago.

The Willie Mullins-trained Abi’s Champ hasn’t been seen since finishing second in a Punchestown mares’ bumper on New Year’s Eve, and that form has been mixed. Still, given how well the champion trainer has been going lately, she is automatically deemed a big player.

SELECTION: ARABIAN DIAMOND

Next best: Abi’s Champ