1.45 Navan Ford & Opel Maiden Hurdle 1m 7f 150yds

An element of guesswork is involved given he’s yet to run over hurdles and is making his debut for a new yard but Gaucher achieved Racing Post Ratings of 96, 86 and 99 on his last three starts in France (the final two coming at ParisLongchamp) so clearly has a decent level of ability.

It is of slight concern that he appears here in a tongue-tie and a hood, but the €260,000 recruit does not look to be in the deepest of maiden hurdles and can make a winning start for the champion trainer.

Helvic Dream was a fair deal better on the flat as a winner of the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup back in 2021. He has started off in hot maiden hurdles at the Fairyhouse Winter Festival and Leopardstown Christmas Festival, finishing fifth in both, and likely needs to keep progressing to win a maiden hurdle at this time of year.

That is possible, though, and he can capitalise if the Willie Mullins-trained selection disappoints. Ascending has shown enough to win one of these but has been frustrating to follow, while the Barry Connell-trained newcomer Claude Du Val cost €54,000 as a store and is worth watching in the market.

SELECTION: GAUCHER

Next best: Helvic Dream

2.15 Apple’s Jade Mares Novice Hurdle (Listed) 2m 5f

The immaculately-bred Brighterdaysahead is already one of the leading fancies in the Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle market at the Cheltenham Festival and anything other than a clearcut win for her here would be disappointing. It looks an excellent opportunity for the unbeaten five-year-old to add another blacktype prize to her CV.

Stablemate Mel Monroe looks the likeliest one to follow her home, for all that Mark Fahey’s Annalecka is clearly a useful type who comes here on a roll. Pastorale has caught the eye the last twice too and has the ability to be fighting it out for the minor money.

SELECTION: BRIGHTERDAYSAHEAD

Next best: Mel Monroe

2.45 William Hill Boyne Hurdle (Grade 2) 2m 5f

A tricky affair to gauge and the market ought to be worth paying attention to. Blazing Khal landed this prize in comfortable fashion 12 months ago when overcoming a reportedly difficult preparation, though the market confidence behind him suggested he was extremely well fancied.

He’s back from another long layoff, absent since finishing sixth in the Stayers’ Hurdle at Cheltenham. If able to bring his best, he’ll take some beating.

However, Ashdale Bob might be the more solid play if there is any market uncertainty surrounding Blazing Khal. This track and trip is likely ideal for Jessica Harrington’s battle-hardened customer, who probably struggled to get home in extreme conditions over three miles in the Galmoy Hurdle last time. Sire Du Berlais is entitled to need the run on his return from a 290-day absence, while the likes of Delta Work and Galvin are likely being campaigned with one eye on Cheltenham too in terms of when to expect a peak performance from them.

SELECTION: ASHDALE BOB

Next best: Blazing Khal

3.15 Gibney’s Handicap Hurdle 2m 6f

Expect conditions to be tough work, and that will play to the strengths of Aghmorough Bridge, who apparently relished heavy ground when winning at Limerick over Christmas. The form of that seven-length success isn’t red hot in the grand scheme of things, but runner-up Carlas Big Jim has gone on to finish second the next twice so there is some merit to it. The addition of cheekpieces for the first time could eke out improvement, while reverting to hurdles from fences (down the field in a beginners’ chase at Cork last time) is another element that can help her bounce back, albeit she gets only a tentative nod.

Clear The Clouds shaped with definite promise on his return from 174 days off last time at Punchestown, and he’s entitled to step forward from that. However, his best form has generally come on sounder surfaces than this.

SELECTION: AGHMOROUGH BRIDGE

Next best: Clear The Clouds

3.45 William Hill Ten Up Novice Chase (Grade 2) 3m

The fact Paul Townend has sided with Nick Rockett over stablemate Minella Cocooner is obviously a positive for his chances, and he gets the vote to cement his National Hunt Chase credentials by landing this prize. He’s consistent, won well last time, and the only time he was beaten over obstacles came during a period when Willie Mullins’ runners were tending to improve from their first runs back (Ballyburn beaten as 10/11 favourite on the same card).

Former Grade 1-winning novice hurdler Minella Cocooner is no slouch and can put it up to him, having impressed last time when winning at this track. He’s a proven stayer and this race will offer a fair guide for which direction connections can pursue with him. American Mike is a talented operator but is becoming difficult to trust, particularly after bombing out at Limerick over Christmas, while it was disappointing that Favori De Champdou couldn’t show a bit more at Leopardstown last time.

SELECTION: NICK ROCKETT

Next best: Minella Cocooner

4.15 William Hill Extra

Place Races Every Day

Handicap Chase 3m

Given he’s a half-brother to a Paul Nicholls-trained chaser whose last two wins came at three miles and a furlong and three miles and two, Rolly Bowley Boy looks worth another try at this longer trip. He’s been consistent, appreciates a cut in the ground and much of his form over the winter has been working out well. That said, he has been creeping up the weights without quite getting his head in front, and that is never ideal.

Neveradullmoment looked a bit one-paced last time over two miles and six furlongs when not running badly behind French recruit Intense Raffles. He should have a race like this in him when all falls right and trying this longer trip is worth a shot. Positive Thinker comes here in fine form and should show up well again, while Young Dev won this race in 2021 in dramatic fashion and should relish the testing ground.

SELECTION: ROLLY BOWLEY BOY

Next best: Neveradullmoment

4.45 William Hill Bet10Get5 On Irish Racing INH Flat Race

1m 7f 150yds

There was plenty of positive chatter surrounding the Willie Mullins-trained Cantico ahead of his stable debut at the Leopardstown Christmas Festival when sent off the 5/4 favourite. He couldn’t match some well-regarded youngsters in finishing third but he’s entitled to step forward from that and can land this traditionally strong bumper (won in the last three years by Ginto, Madmansgame and Firefox).

The form of Lough Owel’s Christmas second to Hens Tooth wasn’t really franked by that rival when down the field at the Dublin Racing Festival, but the point-to-point winner is still respected for the Gordon Elliott camp, as is Olympy De Cerisy, who was turned over when sent off the 8/11 favourite last time. Holddoor hasn’t got a flashy pedigree and is only getting to the track for the first time as an eight-year-old but is worth a market check on debut for Paul Nolan and J.P. McManus.

SELECTION: CANTICO

Next best: Lough Owel