12.20 Connolly’s Red Mills Irish EBF Auction Maiden Hurdle

2m 4f

This doesn’t look the deepest of races and Scalpnagoon might be able to capitalise, if progressing from an improved showing on his second start at Down Royal over Christmas. Stepping up from two miles and a furlong to this longer trip is an unknown, but could help eke out improvement - and he hails from a top yard.

Romany Brown hasn’t been out of the first three in a trio of starts under rules and is another stepping up in trip. He should appreciate the decent ground on offer on the basis of what he’s shown so far. Attaboyarchie brings plenty of experience to the table and stays further than this - he’ll be in the mix if reproducing the sort of form shown last week at Fairyhouse in a steadily-run three-mile handicap hurdle.

SELECTION: SCALPNAGOON

Next best: Romany Brown

12.55 W.T. O’Grady Memorial Irish EBF Novice Hurdle

2m 6f 84yd

This represents a big step up in trip for Sporting Glory and it’s a slight query that he hasn’t been seen since winning a Galway maiden hurdle in October. That was his first start since joining Gordon Elliott, having had plenty of smart form for Pat Fahy previously, and he could still have upside to him as an unexposed type.

Inn At The Park’s maiden hurdle-winning form got a boost when the third-placed Fishery Lane won this week, and Paul Townend prefers him over more experienced stablemate Mister Pink. Millforce is effective in these conditions, has plenty of experience, but is probably a shade vulnerable to an improver.

SELECTION: SPORTING GLORY

Next best: Inn At The Park

1.30 Carey Glass Irish EBF Mares Novice Chase (Grade 2) 2m 5f

A couple of stylish displays since sent chasing make Only By Night an attractive prospect in this company, provided she doesn’t find this ground to be livelier than she ideally wants. She must concede a 5lb penalty due to her Grade 2 win last time at Cork, but looks a possible Mares’ Chase candidate for the Cheltenham Festival and could take some beating.

Nara, second to the selection last time, looks the type who can get better with experience over fences. However, the Grade 1-placed Spindleberry might have even more improvement to come, after staying on well to beat Majestic Force in a Cork mares’ beginners’ chase last month.

SELECTION: ONLY BY NIGHT

Next best: Spindleberry

2.05 Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase (Grade 2) 2m 5f

This race, registered as the Kinloch Brae, has a trappy look to it as nearly all of the main protagonists have one question or another to answer. With conditions likely to be on the dry side, that could be a positive for French Dynamite, who failed to fire last time in the Charlie Hall, but reportedly picked up a nasty cut on that occasion, so the run can be excused. A Grade 3 winner on his previous start on good to yielding, and a type with plenty of back class, he gets a tentative nod.

Blood Destiny was coughing post-race, when disappointing as 15/8 favourite for a Punchestown Festival handicap when last seen. His absence isn’t ideal, but this type of race has the potential to play to his strengths in terms of the mid-range trip and grade. He’s run well fresh in the past, though may prefer softer ground.

SELECTION: FRENCH DYNAMITE

Next best: Blood Destiny

2.35 Leugh Handicap Chase

2m 6f

That’s About Right has been in excellent form, is proven around the course and hails from a yard enjoying a terrific week. Despite being nudged up 2lb for finishing second here last time, he’s entitled to be bang there again.

Potters Party showed ground-versatility two starts ago at Down Royal when second and didn’t run badly last time off top-weight at Navan when fifth. He’s not out of it on his best form. Final Orders is the class act of the race on his day, but comes here out of form, albeit the Gavin Cromwell stable is flying.

SELECTION: THAT’S ABOUT RIGHT

Next best: Potters Party

3.10 Horse & Jockey Handicap Hurdle 1m 7f 110yd

With very little weight to shoulder, capable flat handicapper San Aer might be able to notch a first win over hurdles after showing up well enough when fourth at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival last time. He ran nicely over this course and distance earlier in the season - the best hurdles run of his career - and won’t be found wanting for fitness.

In comparison, it’s hard to know whether we’ll see the peak-fit version of Samui here, having been off for 99 days since finishing down the field in the Cesarewitch. He’d be a big player if bringing his ‘A’ game, but it’s possible he might be gearing up for bigger spring targets. Jazzy Matty handles this type of ground and isn’t out of it, while Dark Note will appreciate the switch to a sounder surface after possibly getting stuck in the mud at Tramore last time. His previous third here was decent.

SELECTION: SAN AER

Next best: Dark Note

3.45 Racing Again Feb. 6th Hunters Chase 3m 1f

Rocky’s Howya disappointed as even-money favourite over an extended two miles and six furlongs at Limerick over Christmas, but is better than that performance suggests. Fourth at the Cheltenham Festival in 2023 and mixing in with the likes of Winged Leader and Its On The Line between the flags, he has smart form when putting it all together over this longer trip than last time.

Boss Robin, a strong stayer when winning at Fairyhouse last Easter on heavy ground, is uncertain to appreciate these conditions, but has the ability to play a role. Arverne will need to improve from his latest fifth at Borris House, but has the assistance of in-form 7lb-claiming amateur Eoghan Finegan and has won on decent ground in the past. Willitgoahead, Ramillies, Lisleigh Lad and Ask d’Man add some depth to proceedings.

SELECTION: ROCKY’S HOWYA

Next best: Arverne