12.28 SBK Handicap Chase 2m 1f 30y

Money Heist went from a rating of 97 to 120 for back-to-back wins at the end of last season., He would have needed the run last month after almost a year off, and was an unlucky third at Down Royal on Tuesday. That suggests he’s still competitive off his current mark, and though it came over three miles, last season’s success came over two miles.

Don’t Talk is another coming here off the back of a good run at Down Royal – a winning one over two and a half miles. He’s twice a course winner, including over shorter, warranting him serious consideration.

Last season suggests today’s trip and ground will work in favour of Ernie From Nurney, and his four-month absence doesn’t immediately rule out his chances. Last year’s runner-up Battle Of Ridgeway faces a tough ask on his first run since May.

Top-weight Big Stage enters equations based on his promising chase debut. He’s been a bit disappointing since, though he had excuses last time out. Splashing Out, second earlier this month, appeals on handicap debut, but her inconsistency is a worry.

SELECTION: DON’T TALK

Next best: Money Heist

1.03 Early Bird For Easter Festival @Fairyhouse Handicap Chase 3m 2f

The way Wine An Dine finished when second over two miles and five furlongs here last week suggested a step up in trip would suit. Whether today’s test will stretch the point-to-point winner’s stamina remains to be seen.

The trip is also a bit of an unknown for unexposed chaser Rusheen, last seen chasing home what looked a well-handicapped horse, the front pair finishing 14 lengths clear of the remainder.

There’s less doubt about the stamina of last year’s runner-up Baldur’s Gate. However, it may come too soon after his seasonal return last week, his first run in 299 days.

Mahler Appeal proved his stamina with a 12-length win in May, but he received a significant rise for that performance, as did recent winner One Horse Army.

In contrast, a 2lb rise shouldn’t diminish the chances of Dorans Law, who posted a career-best over fences on last month’s handicap debut, in first-time cheekpieces.

SELECTION: DORANS LAW

Next best: Wine An Dine

1.38 SBK Solerina Mares Novice Hurdle (Grade 3) 2m 2f 50yd

Willie Mullins has won the last three runnings, and nine of the 12 since the race was introduced. Another interesting statistic is that 10 of those 12 were favourites or joint favourites.

Paul Townend has chosen listed bumper winner and impressive hurdle debutant Aurora Vega, but stablemate Baby Kate warrants serious consideration after beating a short-priced, Grade 1-placed French recruit last time out. That was her first run of the season, so this listed bumper winner should improve considerably.

Mystical Goddess also holds an element of class, the maiden hurdle winner having travelled strongly in a Grade 3 last time. The distance she was beaten (10 and a half lengths) doesn’t do justice to what was a very promising run on her second start under rules.

Mongibello, who chased home Aurora Vega on return to action earlier this month, should also take a step forward, given that that run was her first since June and is 5lb better off today.

The consistent Beauforts Storm was narrowly denied in a listed event last month, Dream On Baby third behind her, but they face tougher competition today.

SELECTION: BABY KATE

Next best: Mystical Goddess

2.13 SBK Maiden Hurdle 2m

Koktail Divin and Kawaboomga have similar profiles, as French recruits who finished second on their Irish debuts at Leopardstown’s Christmas meeting, the races won by leading contenders for the Grade 1 at the Dublin Racing Festival.

One concern was that Koktail Divin’s run came over two and a half miles, and his performance didn’t suggest a drop down in trip was necessary.

William Munny, Grade 1-placed in the Punchestown Champion Bumper, also made a promising start over hurdles, but the distances between him, the winner and the third, make it harder to judge the form.

Of those with less experience, highly-rated flat horse Fleetfoot intrigues.

SELECTION: KAWABOOMGA

Next best: Koktail Divin

2.48 CCR Raceday Maiden Hurdle 2m 4f 90yd

Last year’s winner Now Is The Hour landed a Grade 2 next time out, but it’s hard to imagine any of these being up to that level. He Might Be Lucky is the only previous winner in today’s field, but that was a weak maiden for unplaced horses, and he was tailed off on his latest start.

The lack of promise shown by most makes this look an ideal opportunity for O’Bon Pardon to win a maiden hurdle, having shaped like more of a handicap prospect prior to last month’s close fourth. It wasn’t a strong contest, but this seems even poorer.

Leah’s Contessa’s first run was her best, and she could post a similar performance back over this trip. James The Brave has a small chance considering he ran his best race last time out, while cheek pieces might bring an improved effort from Butchers Bill.

SELECTION: O’BON PARDON

Next best: Leah’s Contessa

3.23 Adare Manor Opportunity Handicap Hurdle 2m

Arch Enemy went up 8lb for her maiden win over hurdles, and though she only finished sixth next time, it was a much stronger race than this. The winner is progressive and the runner-up finished second in a Grade 2 next time, so she’s got a strong chance dropped in grade.

Last month’s handicap debut was a career-best over hurdles for Chef’s Kiss, but it came over five furlongs further than today’s trip. Barbaha Queen won her maiden hurdle over this distance, but that was in 2022, and her latest success came over two and a half miles.

In contrast, the trip may work in favour of Well Dressed, who maybe needed the run on her seasonal return, and found last month’s test too much. If she reproduced the form that she showed at the end of last season, she should be firmly in the mix today.

SELECTION: ARCH ENEMY

Next best: Well Dressed

3.57 SBK (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race 2m

Theflyingking and Walks In June both won point-to-points on debut, and neither were beaten far when sent off favourite on their first starts under rules. Both should come on from that, though Henry de Bromhead’s charge shaped like he might be seen to better effect over further in time.

Onlymammycanloveme also won a point-to-point on debut, but it wasn’t the strongest contest, and he’s been well beaten on his two starts under rules.

The well-bred Fillyoureye is the most interesting of the newcomers, being a half-brother to connections’ triple Grade 1 winner Coolreevy. Notably, that sibling won a bumper on her rules debut, and would later land a Grade 1 bumper.

Moon Eclipse is a full-sister to Lunar Display, another graded performer who won a bumper on the first attempt.

SELECTION: THEFLYINGKING

Next best: Fillyoureye