1.30 Connolly’s Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle 2m

This race likely revolves around whether the real Theatre Native shows up. Henry de Bromhead and Kenny Alexander’s mare was sent off 7/4 favourite to win a listed bumper here last spring when fourth, having fallen at the last when 24 lengths clear on her point-to-point debut and sold privately.

She bombed out badly when a 1/2 chance in a similarly weak auction maiden hurdle when last seen at Clonmel in November (found to be blowing hard post race) so it takes plenty of trust to forgive her immediately here from a punting perspective. She looks the most talented of these but comes with risks attached and it might be worth keeping an eye on the market.

Theflyingbee makes her hurdling debut after showing plenty of promise in bumpers and needs to be respected if sharp enough first time up in this sphere. Testing conditions ought to suit On Lovers Walk and his experience will give him a live chance, despite looking vulnerable to an improver.

SELECTION: THEATRE NATIVE

Next best: On Lovers Walk

2.03 Fairyhouse Easter

Festival March 30th To April

1st Handicap Hurdle 2m

There was a big step in the right direction from the Gavin Cromwell-trained In The Trenches at Limerick last month when second on his handicap debut behind Mount Frisco, who was capitalising on a mark 10lb lower than his chase rating. His jumping is open to improvement, but that last start came against his elders and he should relish reverting to four-year-old-only company. He seems to handle this ground fine and hails from a top stable.

A short-head separated Toll Stone and Roboreti when the pair clashed in a maiden hurdle here 17 days ago in similarly testing conditions, and the latter has a 2lb pull at the weights this time around. However, the former might be able to confirm the form for Emmet Mullins if this isn’t coming too soon. He showed a good attitude last time and looks to be on the improve, while the Gordon Elliott-trained rival reappears in blinkers.

SELECTION: IN THE TRENCHES

Next best: Toll Stone

2.40 Tommy Carberry Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f 135yds

This looks particularly open and a very tentative chance is taken on Shadow Rider bouncing back to form for Padraig Roche and J.P. McManus. He wasn’t the only one to disappoint in the Listed Bective Stud, Tea Rooms & Apartments Handicap Hurdle at Navan in December, a race run in extremely demanding conditions, and he ran well to a point when mid-field in a Pertemps Qualifier at Punchestown prior to that. His earlier third to Buddy One at Galway reads positively too.

Mark Walsh rides the same owner’s Slanagaibhgoleir, who is much more unexposed and has to be respected but arguably could sharpen up for this first handicap start. Glen Kiln has plenty of experience for a novice and battled on well last time to win a maiden hurdle at Naas. If this doesn’t come too soon for him, he has a solid chance off 9st 13lb (when factoring in Carl Millar’s claim) and a mark of 118.

Kilbree Warrior is always capable of giving it a good rattle from the front and it wouldn’t be a shock if she earned a slice of the pie.

SELECTION: SHADOW RIDER

Next best: Glen Kiln

3.15 Fairyhouse Bumper Bundle For Easter Handicap Hurdle

2m 4f 135yds

This doesn’t look a deep affair and it might represent a decent chance for Philip Dempsey’s Quornofamonday to get off the mark at the 12th attempt over hurdles. He fired a couple of warning shots when second here in November to Glenabo Bridge, and when runner-up to Simply Shabra two starts back at Naas. He never fired last time when found to have a small skin wound on his left fore lower cannon, so he might just be worth another chance.

Yabo, Danny The Fence and Chosen Shant wouldn’t be shock winners by any means on the pick of their form, though it could be worth keeping an eye on handicap debutant Solly Attwell if market support arrives. The Cian Collins-trained gelding has shown nothing in maiden hurdles but offered promise in point-to-points and is bred to be effective as a half-brother to the stable’s Mighty Tom. Jouster was travelling very well when coming down at the second last on his latest outing and has obvious claims too.

SELECTION: QUORNOFAMONDAY

Next best: Solly Attwell

3.50 Tote.ie Bobbyjo Chase (Grade 3) 3m 1f 88yds

It’s a tough task at the weights for I Am Maximus to give 12lb to Vanillier, who is officially rated just 7lb inferior to him, but the Irish Grand National and Drinmore Novice Chase hero has to be respected back at the scene of his biggest successes and might be more forward at this time of year than last year’s Grand National second He was safely held behind Galopin Des Champs the last twice in Grade 1 company so should appreciate the drop in class in this four-runner event for the champion trainer, whose string is in terrific form. Vaniller was a major eyecatcher in this race 12 months ago behind Kemboy and this looks another step on his way to Aintree. He is the pick on ratings and can be expected to be on the improve at this time of year, but he does need to raise his game from what we’ve seen this season so far. Jack Kennedy prefers Minella Crooner over Fury Road from Gordon Elliott’s duo and that makes sense on their recent form.

SELECTION: I AM MAXIMUS

Next best: Vanillier

4.25 Book Your Advanced

Tickets Rated Novice Chase

3m 1f 88yds

Good Time Jonny tops the weights here and might be on his way to peaking for a bigger target in the spring, potentially the Kim Muir at Cheltenham if the handicapper allows him to line up there. The step up to this trip will be in his favour and he has an obvious chance if back to his best, but it will be interesting to see how the market interprets his claims.

Intense Raffles excelled in a similarly small field here last time over shorter and might be able to make it back-to-back wins since joining Tom Gibney from France. The runner-up from that race, Where It All Began, gave the form a nice boost when bolting up in the Grand National Trial at Punchestown last weekend. Bardenstown Lad has a fair deal of useful form from his time with John McConnell but has been out of sorts in recent starts. This potentially looks a nice starting point for him on stable debut for Gavin Cromwell. Brampton Belle isn’t out of the equation if the first-time cheekpieces do the trick but is back from a mini-break of 98 days so possibly might sharpen up for the run.

SELECTION: INTENSE RAFFLES

Next best: Bardenstown Lad

5.00 Ian Smith Memorial

(Pro/Am) INH Flat Race 2m

Gordon Elliott won this race 12 months ago with the talented Down Memory Lane and can do the same again with rules newcomer Jersey Des Brosses, who was bought for £370,000 after finishing second on his point-to-point debut around this time last year for Colin Bowe. The winner from that contest looked smart when winning a Sandown handicap hurdle readily last time for Nicky Henderson and is now rated 140.

Sporting Glory has now put together two promising runs back-to-back to begin his career, including when running the highly-regard Romeo Coolio close last time. He looks a decent yardstick and will be ready to collect if the selection isn’t up to scratch. Sky Lord joined Henry de Bromhead since finishing down the field on his debut in a strong Leopardstown bumper over Christmas. He showed some promise on that occasion before fading and was just an 11/2 chance so he has the potential to show up well.

SELECTION: JERSEY DES BROSSES

Next best: Sporting Glory