1.25 Ryan’s Cleaning Maiden Hurdle 2m

A maiden hurdle run at Naas in late February could provide the key to solving Fairyhouse’s Easter Sunday opener, with third-placed Valsorpresa and fourth-placed Classic Lord renewing rivalry after a neck separated the pair on that occasion. Ground conditions are expected to be a fair deal more testing this weekend than last time, and that could swing the balance in favour of Classic Lord, who twice won on heavy ground - including over a mile and a half at Haydock - when previously trained by Andrew Balding.

He has the benefit of an extra hurdles run over Valsorpresa, who isn’t the biggest of operators but looks good enough to win a maiden hurdle. Of the remainder, the 116-rated Dutch Schultz is overdue a win in this sphere and could appreciate the switch back to maiden company from handicaps.

SELECTION: CLASSIC LORD

Next best: Valsorpresa

2.00 Cawley Furniture Novice Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f 100yds

His lack of a run in handicap company is concerning but Invictus Machin appeals as one with the scope to prove better than his introductory mark of 119 if bouncing back from a couple of ordinary efforts when easy to back. He looked a promising enough novice when sweeping through to win on his Down Royal debut in November, although there probably wasn’t a huge amount of depth to that race. The experience of his last couple of starts should stand to him now.

Dermot McLoughlin won this race 12 months ago with Digby and isn’t without a chance of repeating the dose with Dovlator, who failed to fire last time and must give weight to all rivals. However, he looks interesting on the basis of his clash with Pertemps Final runner-up Salvador Ziggy at Roscommon last July. An improved showing from Neveradullmoment could also be on the cards after rattling the crossbar two starts ago at Naas.

SELECTION: INVICTUS MACHIN

Next best: Dovlator

3.10 Paddy Kehoe Suspended Ceilings Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m 4f 100yds

There were plenty of positives to take from the run of Deep Cave when fifth to Good Land in the Grade 1 Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors Novice Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival, and this looks an ideal landing spot for the future chaser to test his mettle over hurdles. The winner from that occasion, Good Land, wasn’t disgraced when fourth in the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle when connections felt he was off-colour, while the third Sandor Clegane arguably was a shade unlucky when filling the same position in the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

Those runs give the Dublin Racing Festival form a reasonable look. Better was expected from Doctor Bravo when eighth (of 14 runners) in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and it wouldn’t be a shock if he showed more in these calmer waters.

SELECTION: DEEP CAVE

Next best: Doctor Bravo

3.45 Cafe En Seine Novice Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m

Willie Mullins has won seven of the last nine runnings of this contest and could take some beating again this time around with Hercule Du Seuil and Hunters Yarn. Both need to bounce back from below-par efforts but this race could prove more to the latter’s liking than when 12th of 24 runners in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham. This is not as deep a race and he can make his quality count.

Hercule Du Seuil isn’t helped by having to concede a 3lb penalty for winning this season’s For Auction Novice Hurdle, while Arctic Bresil could be anything but is difficult to have full faith in after bombing out, seemingly inexplicably, in the Tolworth Novices’ Hurdle last time.

SELECTION: HUNTERS YARN

Next best: Hercule Du Seuil

4.20 BoyleSports Novice Handicap Chase (Grade B) 2m 105yds

It is not an easy task to concede weight to all rivals as a mare who is one of the least experienced runners in the line-up, but Dinoblue has a clear class edge over her rivals and gets the nod to go one better than last month’s second in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham. Her jumping left a bit to be desired on occasions then, but it’s difficult to envisage any of these rivals being able to post an effort as good as that off her mark.

The handicapper has also given her a real chance by only raising her 2lb from her Irish mark for last time. Barnacullia disappointed last time in the Flyingbolt Novice Chase but might appreciate the return to handicap company and should be on the premises for locally-based trainer Mick Mulvany.

SELECTION: DINOBLUE

Next best: Barnacullia

5.30 Tattersalls Ireland George Mernagh Memorial Sales Bumper 2m

An element of guesswork here with 12 of the 19 runners making their debuts. However, the impression created by Brighterdaysahead when bolting up on her Gowran debut in February was excellent and it will likely take a sizeable performance to lower her colours in this €100,000 contest. The selection, trained by Gordon Elliott and owned by Gigginstown House Stud, is bred in the purple as a half-sister to Mighty Potter, French Dynamite and Indiana Jones, costing €310,000 as a store.

The Willie Mullins-trained Grand Slam Sam, a €170,000 three-year-old purchase by Blue Bresil, represents the same owners and commands respect, especially given the champion trainer has won this race the last twice, including when saddling the 1-2-3-6 last year.

SELECTION: BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD

Next best: Grand Slam Sam