11.35 SIS Beginners Chase

2m 5f 110yds

He probably isn’t absolutely bombproof at a short price on his chasing debut given many of the stable’s runners are shaping like they are needing the run on their reappearance, but Impaire Et Passe was the class act of these over hurdles and is tough to oppose. This 163-rated hurdler won his final two starts last season, including the Grade 1 Aintree Hurdle, and is still only a six-year-old.

Martin Pipe runner-up Waterford Whispers disappointed when last seen at the Punchestown Festival, losing a front shoe in running but otherwise returning post race normal. He could make a useful chaser. Twoohthree is lightly raced and could well prove a better chaser than hurdler for Gordon Elliott. It’s interesting to see Jack Kennedy ride him over stablemate Staffordshire Knot.

SELECTION: IMPAIRE ET PASSE

Next best: Waterford Whispers

12.12 Race And Stay Ladies Handicap Chase 2m 5f 110yds

Rolly Bowley Boy was extremely consistent for most of last season - almost to his detriment from a handicapping perspective - and has the credentials to win a race like this going his favoured right-handed direction. He probably was over the top after a busy winter schedule on his last couple of below-par showings. Philip Rothwell has won and gone close in this race before and has been faring well with his runners off a layoff this winter.

It’s not difficult to make cases for the likes of St Denis’s Well, Shajak and Sam Magee, while the progressive General Hubble - despite being up 10lb - races off an attractive low weight and ought to be in the mix again.

SELECTION: ROLLY BOWLEY BOY

Next best: General Hubble

12.45 EasyFix Equine Handicap Chase (Listed) 2m 1f

Provided the ground hasn’t been watered more than he’d ideally want, The Big Chap looks bound to be in the thick of things again for Paul Flynn. He’s been well placed to win decent pots on his last two runs in handicap company and looks perfectly suited to this trip, which is a bit of an unknown for big contender, American Mike. That rival shaped like perhaps not getting home when sent off favourite for the Troytown last time, though this is a different type of test.

Decent ground will be in Visionarian’s favour. It was a tough task when fourth of five runners in the Grade 1 Ladbrokes Champion Chase at Down Royal and this will feel like much more of a manageable assignment for him. Perhaps The Folkes Tiara will be aimed at Christmas, having won at Leopardstown over the festive period last year, but is dangerous to discount off 10st 2lb with the yard in flying form.

SELECTION: THE BIG CHAP

Next best: Visionarian

1.20 Kettles Country House Hotel Supporting Fingal Ravens GFC Raceday Maiden Hurdle 2m

A maiden hurdle that’s bound to be informative; a 1-2-3 of Firefox, Ballyburn and Irancy 12 months ago tells you how good this race can be. While treading with some caution given the depth to the race - and the fact he hasn’t been seen since the Dublin Racing Festival - A Dream To Share gets a very tentative vote to start his hurdling career with a win. The 2023 Champion Bumper winner ought to appreciate not racing in deep ground.

Dual bumper winner Ballygunner Castle appears to be held in decent regard by the Mullins camp, Punchestown Festival scorer Don’tstopthemusic rates a bright prospect for Martin Brassil, while Harbour Highway looked exciting before tailing off at the Dublin Racing Festival - a run that was too bad to be true. Ballybow and Sommesky are other bumper winners worthy of respect.

SELECTION: A DREAM TO SHARE

Next best: Ballygunner Castle

1.55 WillowWarm Hurdle

(Grade 3) 2m

It’s a concern that he probably needs softer ground to be seen at his best but Bottler’secret has the benefit of a run, is proven as effective over this course and distance and could be able to turn the tables on Givemefive. A length and three quarters separated the selection and that British raider at Cheltenham last time, but Gavin Cromwell’s Grade 2 winner is 6lb better off now.

Kala Conti did well to win as a four-year-old filly in a senior handicap hurdle at Down Royal earlier this month, Anzadam is an interesting, unbeaten French recruit for Willie Mullins, while Wodhooh was going from strength to strength over hurdles before missing the spring.

SELECTION: BOTTLER’SECRET

Next best: Kala Conti

2.30 Close Brothers Rated

Novice Hurdle 2m 4f 55yds

Stormbreaker showed a good attitude when winning at Listowel nine weeks ago and his fitness from the summer, as well as ability to perform well on decent ground, should stand him in good stead for this assignment. If his lack of experience over hurdles doesn’t catch him out, he should be firmly in the mix.

This is a pretty open affair on the whole, and the likes of Disco Dancer, Brave Fortune, Palamon and Apple’s Of Bresil all have the potential to play a role if delivering their ‘A’ game.

SELECTION: STORMBREAKER

Next best: Disco Dancer

3.05 Roganstown Hotel &

Country Club 20th Anniversary

Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f 55yds

There was no shame in Tonaghneave Well bumping into a well-handicapped rival in the shape of Clarens last time at the Navan Racing Festival, and a 4lb rise looks possible to overcome given his lightly raced profile over hurdles. That was his handicap debut last time and decent ground plays to his strengths.

Old Bill Barley still looks well enough handicapped to win one of these when all falls right, despite being nudged up the weights for near misses lately. Heading into his reappearance at Down Royal, Golden Joy looked as though he could be up to making his presence felt off a mark of 125 but he needs to raise his game plenty from that showing.

SELECTION: TONAGHNEAVE WELL

Next best: Old Bill Barley

3.40 Willie Elliott Memorial

Bumper 2m

Gordon Elliott has declared two point-to-point-winning rules debutants, Koktail Brut and Ma Jacks Hill. The former has also been declared for Sunday’s bumper, whereas this is Ma Jacks Hill’s only engagement, and it’s probably a vote of stable confidence that Harry Swan is booked to ride him. The Famous Name gelding looked an imposing type in the ring when selling for €310,000 at the Goffs Punchestown Festival Sale.

Willie Mullins gave a positive mention to You Proof at a press morning earlier this week. The four-year-old by Muhtathir finished second to the immaculately-bred Thatsdwayimthinkin on his sole point-to-point start.

SELECTION: MA JACKS HILL

Next best: You Proof