2.15 www.gowranpark.ie 3-Y-O Maiden Hurdle 2m

Soft ground conditions may well favour Emotivo. Henry de Bromhead’s filly ran to a reasonable standard on the flat, with her best effort coming on heavy ground at Naas where she ran third to the useful Aidan O’Brien-trained pair Jackie Oh and Red Riding Hood. She ran fourth on her hurdles debut at Down Royal, but got hampered a couple of times and is entitled to improve from the experience.

The same applies to Expelliarmus, a Churchill half-sister to Common Practice, the Lartigue Hurdle third. She finished third at Ballinrobe on her hurdles debut and could improve past the more experienced Pigeon House, who was just two lengths ahead of her then.

SELECTION: EMOTIVO

Next best: Expelliarmus

2.50 Golf Memberships At Gowran Park Maiden Hurdle 2m 4f 50yrds

This looks a good opportunity for Zaidi. Gordon Elliott’s gelding was recruited from Ellmarie Holden’s yard after finishing a promising second to Search For Glory in a Fairyhouse bumper, and he made no mistake on his first start for his new yard when running out a 17-length winner of a Thurles bumper. His first run over hurdles was good as well, second to Canal End in a maiden hurdle at the Easter Festival back in Fairyhouse. He’ll handle soft ground and in truth, this doesn’t look a strong heat.

Champagne Admiral is one to watch for Pat Fahy. He cost £100,000 in the Sandown parade ring just over a year ago and while he hasn’t matched that potential in three bumper starts, he may do better now over hurdles.

SELECTION: ZAIDI

Next best: Champagne Admiral

3.25 Joe Bollard Memorial Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f 50yds

A tentative vote goes to Jaariam. Seamus O’Donnell’s gelding ran reasonably well on his first start for the stable when an eight-length sixth to Hutchie earlier this month at Galway. He had previously struggled to make a mark in maiden hurdles but may have found his level now, and will be a threat if able to build on that effort.

How Decc is probably the only runner in the field with a bit of sustainable good form. He has been second, fourth and third in his last three starts respectively and pending he can handle the heavy ground, he should be thereabouts again.

SELECTION: JAARIAM

Next best: How Decc

4.00 Jack Duggan Memorial Handicap Hurdle 3m

Plenty will be willing to support Ambitious Fellow considering how competitive the listed handicap hurdle he won at Galway was, but the heavy ground is a potential worry. Peter Fahey’s horse won in soft at Galway but all his other wins have come on a decent surface. It might be worth taking a chance on last year’s winner Walking On Glass instead. Padraig Roche’s gelding has only run once over hurdles since but has been in good form on the flat recently, most notably when fourth to Dartan at Bellewstown. He has a 5lb penalty to contend with.

Quarry Rocco is the least experienced runner in the field but he ran quite well when fourth to Enfranchise in a Galway maiden hurdle on soft ground and then got off the mark at Ballinrobe.

SELECTION: WALKING ON GLASS

Next best: Quarry Rocco

4.35 PWC Champion Chase (Grade 2) 2m 4f

Envoi Allen is a somewhat surprising but very welcome addition to this contest. Henry de Bromhead’s gelding has made his seasonal debut at Down Royal for the last three years, winning on each occasion but he is rocking up earlier this time around and he looks the one to beat. He doesn’t always run to his very best, but is more likely to when coming off a long break and he has proven form on heavy ground.

Easy Game has won two of the previous three renewals and cannot be discounted despite a disappointing effort at Galway. This sort of small field and more classy affair is right up his street and the ground will be fine. Going forward, Gentlemansgame is probably the most interesting of these. He beat the subsequent Irish Grand National winner I Am Maximus on his sole chase start last term and could well be a horse to follow this season.

SELECTION: ENVOI ALLEN

Next best: Easy Game

5.10 Hospitality At Gowran Park Handicap Chase 2m 4f

Positive Thinker might just get away with his inexperience over fences. Michael McDonagh’s gelding only has one start over fences but he won that at Tipperary, when his jumping warmed up as the contest went on, and he ran a very creditable race when second to Dorans River on his comeback earlier this month. He has the scope to kick on again here and has lots of form on heavy ground also.

Willywampus was a comfortable winner at Tramore on his last start and he handles this sort of ground, having finished second over this course and distance last season. History Of Fashion has some notable form in big handicap chases, but this trip could be on the short side for him on his first run back off a break.

SELECTION: POSITIVE THINKER

Next best: Willywampus

5.45 Join Gowran Racing Club Beginners Chase 2m 4f

Letsbeclearaboutit is out early to make a winning start over fences, which may be as much about running on the soft ground likely today as anything else. The consistent eight-year-old really came into his own last spring when beaten just five lengths by Stay Away Fay when fourth in the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham before coming back to this trip to fill the same position behind Irish Point at Aintree.

Largy Debut has some experience over fences, having chased home the likes of Minella Crooner and Mighty Potter last term but his form wilted after that. He may benefit from a refresh while Franciscan Rock is also interesting, having finished third to Gaelic Warrior at the Punchestown Festival when last seen.

SELECTION: LETSBECLEARABOUTIT

Next best: Franciscan Rock