2.03 Redweld Stables Maiden Hurdle 2m 6f

Big Stage has the advantage of two runs over hurdles, including solid enough placed efforts at Punchestown and Cork the last twice, and he can put that to good use for Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy.

Sea God, a winner between the flags in Britain, won a two-runner Carlisle bumper by 15 lengths on debut for John McConnell in December. He could be useful, for all that it’s tough to assess that form. However, with a little break to overcome and Big Stage having an experience edge, the Elliott runner is favoured.

SELECTION: BIG STAGE

Next best: Sea God

2.38 Billie And Bertie FitzGerald Memorial Handicap Hurdle 2m 6f

He isn’t the most straightforward of rides, having run out twice already this season, but the market thought Onlyamatteroftime was worthy of being a 7/2 favourite for the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham off 115 three runs ago, and he must have a big say off 109 as top-weight in a Downpatrick handicap hurdle. This is a major drop in class from contesting the valuable Betfair Exchange Trophy and Betfair Hurdle at Ascot and Newbury the last twice. While he needs to bounce back from a disappointing outcome when last seen, he could simply have a class edge over his rivals.

Dgalwaygallivantor has no issue dealing with testing ground and ran well on heavy at Gowran four weeks ago.

SELECTION: ONLYAMATTEROFTIME

Next best: Dgalwaygallivantor

3.13 Grant Brothers Developments Handicap Hurdle 2m 2f

This is a considerably different type of track to Naas, where Red Striker finished an eyecatching third on Thursday, but he might still be worth following off an extremely attractive weight in what looks an open affair. There was lots to like about how he finished off his race and the extra couple of furlongs ought to suit.

O’Faolains Glory has hinted at winning potential on a few occasions and probably didn’t have the race unfold to ideally suit last time at Down Royal. It’s far from ideal too that she is 8lb out of the handicap, but Patrick O’Brien’s 7lb claim helps to offset that. Starman has a live chance on his return to hurdles too.

SELECTION: RED STRIKER

Next best: O’Faolains Glory

3.48 Toals Bookmakers Mares Handicap Hurdle 2m 6f

Bonnie Kellie has posted some creditable efforts over fences this season on her favoured testing ground and conditions should be right up her street for this return to hurdles off a 23lb lower mark than her last appearance over fences. She hasn’t been able to capitalise on a lower hurdles rating in the past but many of those attempts came on better ground than she ideally wants. There should be a day in her in this sphere, and it might well come here.

Tankardstown Diva is getting her act together and could have more to come after a near miss at Down Royal on St Patrick’s Day.

SELECTION: BONNIE KELLIE

Next best: Tankardstown Diva

4.23 Randox Ulster National Handicap Chase 3m 4f 120yds

Gavin Cromwell has a strong handle on what it takes to win this €50,000 contest, having won the last two runnings (including a one-three in 2022), and he returns with another strong squad for the 2024 renewal. Ask Anything must shoulder top-weight off 128 - a lower-rated standard setter than you might usually expect in a race designed for horses rated 140 to be top - but he comes here in fine form after a near miss at Navan 15 days ago. This trip is an unknown but he could well have more upside as an unexposed chaser.

However, it might be worth an each-way look at another Cromwell runner, Fameaftertheglory, who stays strongly and can be expected to be a much different proposition here than last time in a two-and-a-half-mile maiden hurdle. It is a concern that he’s 0-21 over obstacles on the track but a mark of 115 looks fair on the pick of his form (cross country and banks races included) and Conor Stone-Walsh’s 5lb claim is a handy asset.

SELECTION: FAMEAFTERTHEGLORY

Next best: Ask Anything

4.58 WKD Beginners Chase 2m 3f 100yds

Bleu D’enfer wasn’t out of it by any means when falling at the third last in a rated novice chase at Down Royal on St Patrick’s Day and, provided his confidence hasn’t been knocked, should be bang there in a race where plenty have questions to answer. He proved testing ground wasn’t a problem when winning an Ayr maiden hurdle on heavy two starts ago.

Fathom Two had an excuse (scoped dirty) after his disappointing run at Cheltenham in November. The former course winner is entitled to sharpen up for this first run over fences but the point-to-point winner probably has the ability to play a strong role if taking well to this discipline.

SELECTION: BLEU D’ENFER

Next best: Fathom Two

5.30 Boardsmill Sires Maiden Hunters Chase 2m 7f 150yds

It was encouraging to see Neo King stick to the task so well at Down Royal last month when second over what probably ended up being an inadequate trip of just shy of two and a half miles. He bumped into a useful type that day in the shape of Romeo Magico and can go one better here with the longer trip to help.

Plenty arrive here on the back of maiden wins between the flags and have chances, but Dromleigh has been holding his own in hunter chases this season and is entitled to be bang there on his best form.

SELECTION: NEO KING

Next best: Dromleigh