2.05 King John’s Castle Maiden Hurdle 2m

Conditions are bound to be testing and that will present a different type of challenge for A Penny A Hundred than when winning a Sligo bumper readily on ground described as good, good to yielding in places in August.

The Jukebox Jury gelding might well have no problem with the dig in the ground but Cut The Rope looked perfectly effective when winning on ground that was soft, soft to heavy in places, on his sole start at Naas in January. He lacks a recent run but looked a bright prospect on that occasion for Paul Nolan. So They Tell Me didn’t run badly on his only start at Naas in March and might be worth a second look in the market.

SELECTION: CUT THE ROPE

Next best: A Penny A Hundred

2.40 Bluegrass Horse Feeds

Handicap Hurdle 2m

Reverting to testing ground at a track where she has won before could help It’sallabouteve bounce back to winning ways for Brendan Walsh. She has been absent since pulled up over fences here in May but won on the back of a break at this venue before.

Hard Rain is also a course winner who is effective with an ease underfoot and has race fitness on his side. Young Fitzy failed to fire last time at Galway but is surely better than that performance suggests and would be in the mix if delivering his ‘A’ game.

SELECTION: IT’SALLABOUTEVE

Next best: Hard Rain

3.15 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Cailin Alainn Mares Hurdle (Listed Race) 2m 6f 150yds

It isn’t always ideal rowing in behind a mare who fell and was pulled up on her last two starts - and is returning from a 176-day break - but Riviere D’etel is likely a class above these rivals and has been found a good opportunity to regain confidence back over hurdles, having been chasing 2021. She can afford to run below her best and win.

Popova arrives here with race fitness and momentum on her side after winning at Listowel last month and has a great chance to earn blacktype, while Iriskana hasn’t achieved as much as that rival but won in the style of a progressive mare at Roscommon when last seen. Space Tourist should be fighting it out for the minor money too.

SELECTION: RIVIERE D’ETEL

Next best: Popova

3.50 Rathsallagh Country House Novice Hurdle (Listed Race) 2m 5f

Provided he’s able to handle these testing conditions, High Class Hero should have plenty in his favour and can make it four wins on the bounce for the season. The Willie Mullins-trained six-year-old won a point-to-point on soft ground and coped with an ease fine last time at Listowel, albeit it will surely be more demanding in terms of the ground now.

The Wallpark also arrives here after a win at Listowel and needs respecting given his rich vein of form. His stamina is an unknown at this trip but he might well cope with it fine. The Big Doyen is probably as talented as any of these rivals but whether he’ll love the testing ground is a question mark, given his previous efforts on soft surfaces.

SELECTION: HIGH CLASS HERO

Next best: The Wallpark

4.21 Christmas Festival Tickets

On Sale Maiden Hurdle 2m 5f

A maiden hurdle for horses who have run at least three times under rules but have yet to reach the frame, and it lacks quality. Ask Anything, a £90,000 point-to-point recruit, was down the field in bumpers won by smart sorts last season and might be worth chancing for Gavin Cromwell, who appears to have his string in good order for this stage of the season.

Of the remainder, the Shark Hanlon-trained Jullou De Grissay makes most appeal, having run with credit when fourth to a some useful types at Gowran Park last month. Conditions were heavy on that occasion and he can be expected to face more demanding ground now.

SELECTION: ASK ANYTHING

Next best: Jullou De Grissay

4.56 Panoramic Restaurant At

Limerick Races Handicap Hurdle 2m 5f

Gendarme didn’t run badly last week at Tramore and now reverts to a track where he has won before, albeit on much better ground than he will face this weekend. Still, he appears to be in decent order and should be suited to this intermediate trip. He could run well at an each-way price.

Knocknagappagh and He Fitz In each only found one too good over fences last time and ought to be competitive in this grade, but Rockbrook makes some appeal too for Philip Rothwell, who has been enjoying a fine season. He came home well for second last time at Listowel and isn’t overly exposed so could yet improve.

SELECTION: GENDARME

Next best: Rockbrook

5.31 Irish Stallion Farms EBF

Mares INH Flat Race 2m

It was an eyecacthing debut second from Ma Belle Etoile at Tipperary 20 days ago and she should be bang there again with natural improvement for the John and Tommy Kiely team. This could turn out to be more of a stamina test than last time in four-year-old-only company and now she must take on her elders, but there are some stamina influences in her pedigree.

Only By Night, a £110,000 purchase after winning a point-to-point last November, finished third in a Warwick bumper on her only start for Jonjo O’Neill and now makes her debut for Gavin Cromwell. She should be comfortable in a race of this nature. Make Sunshine ran well on debut here in March and has place claims, while Vadamos mare Ufouria, trained by Paul Nolan, has a chance on paper and is worth a look in the market on debut.

SELECTION: MA BELLE ETOILE

Next best: Only By Night