12.00 Race Displays Rated Novice Hurdle 2m

Just five runners line up for a race last year won by Asian Master, chased home by Better Days Ahead. Previous winners include Banbridge, Galvin, Sir Des Champs and Un De Sceaux, and today’s line-up is brimming with potential.

C’Est Ta Chance should improve plenty from his smart hurdle debut last month, while Taponthego was disappointing last time, having previously shaped like a smart prospect. Ballygunner Castle won a maiden hurdle that has produced some Grade 1 horses in the past, but I think he needs to improve to beat former stablemate James’s Gate.

Martin Brassil’s fragile charge has run just four times since finishing third in the Champion Bumper, when he was trained by Willie Mullins, but was back on track when winning a maiden hurdle at Punchestown last month. He should come on plenty fitness-wise, and the drop back in trip shouldn’t be a problem.

It’s more difficult to assess Casheldale Lad and what he beat when impressing on hurdle bow, so I lack confidence in backing him at this stage.

SELECTION: JAMES’S GATE

Next best: Ballygunner Castle

12.35 NavanRacecourse.ie Maiden Hurdle 2m 4f

The result of the opener will be informative regarding Forty Coats’ chance, having finished a well-backed second to James’s Gate last time out. He filled the same position on his hurdle bow over today’s course and distance, behind a smart horse.

Bossofthebrownies is a leading contender for each-way honours, having placed in three similar contests, but Kainsbourg appears to have more to offer. Bought for €355,000 after a Group 3 win in France, he finished second to a highly-rated flat recruit on his hurdle debut, having been off the track for over a year.

SELECTION: FORTY COATS

Next best: Kainsbourg

1.10 Navan Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f

The largest field for the most valuable race on the card. Bottler’secret, a talented novice last season, intrigues as he drops in class, but it is concerning that he never travelled before pulling up last time out.

Jigoro could also be considered off last season’s form, but has been disappointing so far this term. He benefits from a five-pound claim, while Sam Ewing has opted for Music Of Tara on her first start for connections since selling for €68,000.

The eight-year-old mare retains cheekpieces on her return to hurdling, and her relevant form includes a second over course and distance. Lord Erskine is another with course-and-distance form, placed in two listed handicap hurdles last season, but has gone up significantly in the weights since.

Preference is therefore for a less-exposed horse in Koori Star, who finished fourth to some useful rivals at Leopardstown over the Christmas period. That was over three furlongs shorter, while his winning rules debut came over two miles and two furlongs.

SELECTION: KOORI STAR

Next best: Music Of Tara

1.45 Ardmulchan Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f

Lakota Blue, twice placed in maiden hurdles, is an obvious contender on his handicap debut and first start over this trip.

Duffys Hodey will carry a seven-pound penalty for his authoritative win on Thursday. He was eased down that day, and given that he’s been in the money every start this season, could follow up again.

Collaborative steps up in trip after two decent runs, and though the flat-bred recruit isn’t guaranteed to stay, one of his sire’s best hurdlers, Absurde, has won over this distance.

The trip should also suit Jonny Mansie, who was headed two out over two furlongs shorter on Monday. The quick return is a concern, though.

SELECTION: DUFFYS HODEY

Next best: Lakota Blue

2.20 QuinnBet Beginners Chase 3m

There was a lot to like about Loughglynn’s chase debut, when the Grade 2-winning hurdler got tired. Grand Soir ran in that same race, and looked to be in with a chance when falling three out.

However, Olympic Man may be Closutton’s leading hope on jockey bookings, which is unsurprising considering his fourth behind Dancing City last month. That experience should improve his jumping and fitness, too.

Another useful hurdler, Kinturk Kalanisi, has made a promising start over fences, having separated two previous winners in a rated novice chase last time, when he shaped like a step up in trip would suit.

SELECTION: OLYMPIC MAN

Next best: Kinturk Kalanisi

2.55 Gormanlough Handicap Chase 3m

Tangental was sent off joint-favourite for this last year off an almost identical mark, and should improve from his seasonal return following a 200-day absence. Cullenwaine has a nine-pound rise to contend with, having taken a notable step forward to win last month.

Race-fit He Fitz In is another to consider, his chase success having come over this trip, off a similar rating.

Nine-year-old maiden Chosen Shant disappointed when well-backed on her chasing debut last month and steps up significantly in trip today. It’s not guaranteed to work in her favour, judging by her best runs over shorter.

SELECTION: TANGENTAL

Next best: He Fitz In

3.25 Racing Again February 9th INH Flat Race 2m

We can only speculate how much Sine Qua Non cost new connections following his 48-length route on debut at Lingstown. That was at the end of November, meaning he should be race fit, but reduces chances of judging the form.

The only rival to finish that day, from 12, did win next time out, while time has not been as kind to Spinningayarn’s debut win last March. That said, the way in which he won, justifying favouritism by 10 lengths, suggests there was plenty of merit in that performance.

It will be interesting to see how Dream Diamond fares on the level, following last month’s fine second in a maiden hurdle won by Kel Histoire, who subsequently chased home Salvator Mundi in a Grade 2.

SELECTION: SINE QUA NON

Next best: Spinningayarn