1.00 Clinton Higgins Chartered Accountants Novice Handicap Chase 2m 4f

Kings Halo takes a steep rise in class but may well prove up to the task. With most of those above him in the handicap having questions to answer, the James Dullea-trained gelding looks the most solid option.

A consistent performer in recent times, the nine-year-old arrives here in great fettle having just failed to land the odds at Punchestown last time.

Slip Of The Tongue, a former listed hurdle winner, rates a serious threat if ready after a break. The J.P. McManus- owned gelding is nicely treated over fences having shown ability on a couple of occasions early last year.

SELECTION: KINGS HALO

Next Best: Slip Of The Tongue

1.35 Download The BetVictor App Maiden Hurdle 1m 7f 112y

Mr Lincoln shaped well enough on his recent hurdling debut when runner-up at Limerick to suggest he can go one better now. A smart handicapper on the level, the Joseph Murphy-trained gelding stayed on nicely at the Patrickswell venue to chase home a very highly regarded horse. With the benefit of that experience, he can get off the mark here.

Dutch Gold has always been thought of as a potentially decent hurdler, so the fact he won twice on the flat was somewhat of a bonus. Now that he goes jumping, trainer Noel Meade will be hoping that the gelding can live up to expectations.

SELECTION: MR LINCOLN

Next Best: Dutch Gold

2.10 Naas Racecourse Business Club Limestone Lad Hurdle (Grade 3) 1m 7f 112y

Zarak The Brave can resume winning ways having failed to give his true running when a beaten favourite at Tipperary last time. Prior to that, the Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old had put up a very impressive performance when landing the Galway Hurdle under a big weight. If back to his best, the son of Zarak should prove too classy for these opponents.

Former Cheltenham Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle winner Telmesomethinggirl would be a danger if coming forward from her seasonal reappearance over Christmas. The Henry de Bromhead-trained mare reverted to hurdles at Leopardstown, having failed to live up to expectations towards the latter end of her first campaign over fences.

SELECTION: ZARAK THE BRAVE

Next Best: Telmesomethinggirl

2.45 Finlay Ford At Naas Novice Chase (Grade 3) 3m 174y

Stepping up to three miles for the first time over fences, Letsbeclearaboutit can concede weight to his rivals. Gavin Cromwell’s gelding was a very smart staying novice hurdler last season but started his chasing career with two victories over two miles four furlongs. Having been beaten on his last two runs, connections wisely decide to move up to the nine-year-old’s optimum distance now.

Embassy Gardens, who was rated 2lb higher than Letsmeclearaboutit over hurdles, made a very impressive winning debut over fences last month.

The eight-year-old lacks the chasing experience of the latter but could well have the class to overcome that disadvantage.

SELECTION: LETSBECLEARABOUTIT

Next Best: Embassy Gardens

3.15 I.N.H. Stallion Owners EBF Maiden Hurdle 2m 2f 116y

The Willie Mullins-trained Icare Desbois can make it third time lucky over hurdles. A bumper winner at Fairyhouse on his racecourse debut in April 2022, the six-year-old was off the track for 574 days before being pulled up on his reappearance at Naas in November.

However, having had valid excuses for that disappointing run, the son of Triple Threat showed his true ability when third in a well contested maiden hurdle at Leopardstown recently.

Point-to-point winner Butcher Hollow made a successful start to his career under rules when scoring impressively in a Galway bumper in October. Having subsequently finished runner-up on both starts over hurdles, he, too, is seeking a first win at that discipline.

SELECTION: ICARE DESBOIS

Next Best: Butcher Hollow

3.45 Full Circle Series At Punchestown Festival 2024 Qualifier Handicap Hurdle 2m 2f 116y

Pride Of Place, who would have gone close here last time but for a mistake at the last, can gain compensation. Michael Hourigan’s gelding was staying on strongly when getting the final flight all wrong, practically coming to a standstill on the landing side. The fact he recovered to run on for third suggests that the five-year-old was somewhat unlucky.

Heliko Conti should appreciate dropping back to this intermediate trip having only been caught close home over two miles and four furlongs last time. The Paul Nolan-trained gelding has been fitted with first-time cheekpieces here.

SELECTION: PRIDE OF PLACE

Next Best: Heliko Conti

4.20 Lengthen The Odds At Betvictor (Pro/Am) INH Flat Race 2m 2f 116y

Loughanmore point-to-point winner Jasmin De Vaux can make a successful start to life under rules. The Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old proved a very easy victor of that contest on his initial outing.

That form has received a minor boost in the interim, with the runner-up having finished second in a maiden hurdle for Paul Nicholls.

The Gordon Elliott-trained Big Stage commands respect, having also won on his only start between the flags. Elliott has sent out some smart bumper performers this season, so any market support for this rules debutant should be noted.

SELECTION: JASMIN DE VAUX

Next Best: Big Stage