2.10 Tom Quinlan Electrical Maiden Hurdle 2m 4f

Mint Boy has run well in both of his bumper starts now and can improve for his hurdles debut. Gavin Cromwell’s gelding ran well when second to Firefox at Navan in February and finished third to Farren Glory over the same course and two-mile distance in a slower-run race last month. A four-year-old maiden winner at Corbeagh House, he should be more at home over this longer distance and going jumping.

Zaidi is a big threat for Gordon Elliott. He was bought out of the Ellmarie Holden yard for a relatively modest fee but bolted up on his stable debut at Thurles. Previously, he had finished second to the very useful Search For Glory at this course. Flamborough is also interesting for local trainer Tom Gibney after a fine run on his hurdles/stable debut - second to Western Commander at Down Royal. He had Canal End (opposes again today) behind him on that occasion and should improve for both the experience and race fitness.

SELECTION: MINT BOY

Next best: Zaidi

2.45 Low.ie Hunters Chase 3m 1f 40y

This can go to the up and coming Ferns Lock, who was kept back from Cheltenham on account of his age, and will strip a fresher horse here. The David Christie-trained six-year-old has won all six of his starts, three in points and three on the course, which include a 20-length beating of Billaway at Thurles in January.

Billaway fell early at Cheltenham but was sent off 9/2 and usually comes good in the spring so you can expect a better show from him today, however he is five years older than Ferns Lock, who may well improve again. Annamix has plenty to find with the pair on his last two runs.

SELECTION: FERNS LOCK

Next best: Billaway

3.20 BoyleSports (Mares) Novice Chase (Listed) 2m 5f 100y

This race can sometimes find out mares who ran at the Cheltenham Festival given its proximity and that might just be the case for Allegorie De Vassy. She is easily the best of these but she had a hard race against Impervious just over three weeks ago. It is conceivable that she could still put up a below par effort and win here but Limerick Lace is no back number and will receive 8lbs from the likely short priced favourite. She might have had a hard race herself against Journey With Me 27 days ago, but she got close enough to that runner, who is very closely matched with Impervious on their penultimate start, to suggest she can put up a big fight.

Broomfield Hall was pulled up when meeting Allegorie De Vassy in a Grade 2 contest at Limerick but she is better than that and returns to the course she won her first two chases at earlier in the season.

SELECTION: LIMERICK LACE

Next best: Allegorie De Vassy

3.55 Fred Kenny Ladies National Handicap Chase 2m 5f 150y

Routine Excellence can win again. Gavin Cromwell’s gelding already has three wins to his name this season, but importantly got back on track at Thurles last month after a disappointing effort at Punchestown. Prior to that he had been showing up well over hurdles and fences, notably chasing home Maxxum in a big field handicap hurdle at Navan. He is lightly raced and his win last month came off an 89-day break, so he can kick on from that now.

Gain De Cause is of interest after an eye-catching run at Navan over two miles and one furlong. He was well backed beforehand and seemed to be coming with a decent run when hampered at the second last. This step up in trip should suit Tony Martin’s lightly raced seven-year-old. Mars Harper is the solid option despite his no-show at Cheltenham. Prior to that run, he had lots of respectable form in better races than this.

SELECTION: ROUTINE EXCELLENCE

Next best: Mars Harper

4.30 INH Stallion Owners EBF Novice Handicap Hurdle (Grade B)

On his first start for Jonathan Sweeney, Western Walk bolted up at Navan and off a 6lb higher mark, he looks dangerous in this Grade B contest. The six-year-old had previously been with Gavin Cromwell, hitting the frame in bumpers and hurdles but coming off a 277-day break and stable switch, he took his form to a new level when bolting up in a maiden hurdle last month. Michael O’Sullivan rode him then and is booked again now.

Verdant Place is a big danger, arriving here on a hat-trick. Patrick Foley’s five-year-old showed he has stamina in abundance when taking a Punchestown handicap hurdle run just short of three miles. That was just his sixth start so there could be a lot more to come. Both Favori Du Champdou and Seabank Bistro disappointed in the Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle but are smart sorts on their day, so shouldn’t be discounted to bounce back despite carrying big weights. Hardy Bloke is another one to consider after a clear cut win at Wexford last week.

SELECTION: WESTERN WALK

Next best: Verdant Place

5.05 RYBO Handicap Hurdle (Grade A) 2m 90y

Da Capo Glory could be the one in this valuable heat. Padraig Butler’s six-year-old made a pleasing comeback when fourth to Fil Dor in the Grade 3 Red Mills Hurdle at Gowran Park, coming under pressure early in the straight but sticking on to the front three admirably. The form of that race has worked out well with both Fil Dor and runner-up Sharjah running very well in the County Hurdle and when you consider Da Capo Glory was facing them on his seasonal debut, it has to go down as a very big run. Previous to that, he was a reasonably close third to El Fabiolo in a Punchestown novice hurdle, which gives further credence to the suggestion that a mark of 135 underestimates him.

The second vote goes to Ballybawn Belter, who took her form to another level when running out a two-length winner in the Paddy Mullins Mares Handicap Hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival. She stayed really well that day and in truth probably wants further, but if she can latch onto this field, she could come home very well.

That win at Leopardstown was just her fifth start over hurdles, so she has bundles of scope to improve. The Boodles one-three Jazzy Matty and Risk Belle are interesting but this will be a tougher test taking on older horses.

SELECTION: DE CAPO GLORY

Next best: Ballybawn Belter

5.40 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares INH Flat Race (Listed) 2m 90y

It might be worth taking a chance on the track newcomer Theatre Native. She looked set to run out a thoroughly impressive winner on her points debut at Dromahane only to cruelly come down at the last. That performance still marked her out as an exciting mare and that wasn’t lost on Kenny Alexander/Peter Molony who swooped in to acquire her since.

The Willie Mullins-trained duo Arctic Fly and West End Victory are much respected off the back of winning debuts but Miss Agusta gets the second vote. She disappointed last time at Thurles but her fourth to Jetara in a listed mares’ bumper at Navan is more reflective of her ability and she can get back on track with a good run today.

SELECTION: THEATRE NATIVE

Next best: Miss Agusta