1.35 John Lynch Memorial Maiden Hurdle 2m

Having improved with each run over hurdles to date, Good Heavens could be set to make the breakthrough at the fourth attempt. A very useful handicapper on the flat, the Joseph O’Brien-trained gelding ran a fair race on his debut over flights before being pitched into graded class on his second outing. Although finding that opposition a step too far, he shaped with plenty of promise last time at Wexford.

Smooth Tom is an interesting hurdling debutant for a stable who do well with their runners over jumps. A 91-rated horse on the level, the son of Elzaam would be a serious threat if his stamina holds out over this distance.

SELECTION: GOOD HEAVENS

Next best: Smooth Tom

2.10 Allman Contracts Novice Hurdle 2m4f

High Class Hero gets the vote to continue his unbeaten record since joining Willie Mullins. With the champion trainer running three in this race, it is surely significant that stable jockey Paul Townend sides with the recent Galway maiden winner. Successful in a bumper at this track back in June on his initial outing for Mullins, the six-year-old looks an exciting prospect.

Stablemate What Path rates the biggest danger. Runner-up at Galway last time over this trip, the Coastal Path gelding had won his previous two starts over further. The six-year-old is likely to make this a thorough test from the front under a jockey who excels with such tactics.

SELECTION: HIGH CLASS HERO

Next best: What Path

2.45 M.J. Carroll ARRO Handicap Hurdle 2m 4f

Bugs Moran can go one place better here having occupied the runner-up position in a stronger race at Galway recently. The Noel Meade-trained gelding does come with a slight health warning however, as he had been off the track for 464 days prior to that run. While Meade has few equals when it comes to having one ready after an absence, the dreaded “bounce factor” is a concern on his second start.

Last year’s winner Skippin Court has been chasing recently but has to enter calculations on a mark just 5lb higher than 2022. Peter Fahey has his string in rude health at present and having trained the winner of the aforementioned Galway race, he has a good line on Bugs Moran.

SELECTION: BUGS MORAN

Next best: Skippin Court

3.20 Kathleen Walsh Memorial Handicap Hurdle (Div l) 2m 4f

Run Like Fada, who is sure to have had this meeting as a target for some time, can gain a local success for Eoin McCarthy. The Athea-based trainer tends to keep a few for this festival every season, so a big run from the six-year-old would not surprise. The Court Cave gelding also tends to run his best races when fresh, so the fact he has not been seen since May is not a concern.

Indie Belle is clearly a better mare over fences but Robert Widger’s six-year-old is hard to ignore off a 20lb lower mark over hurdles. Although running poorly in the corresponding race last year, she has to be given another chance.

SELECTION: RUN LIKE FADA

Next best: Indie Belle

3.55 Kathleen Walsh Memorial Handicap Hurdle (Div ll) 2m 4f

Last year’s runner-up Jakie Mac is likely to have had a repeat bid as a prime objective since returning to training. Damian Murphy’s seven-year-old was only beaten a neck off a 1lb lower mark 12 months ago. Having had a pipe opener at Wexford earlier this month, the Dylan Thomas gelding should be spot on for this assignment.

Recent Sligo winner Blenheim Belle is an obvious danger under Philip Enright. The Mark McNiff-trained four-year-old was making his handicap debut in that race so is open to further improvement.

SELECTION: JAKIE MAC

Next best: Blenheim Belle

4.30 Charlie Chute Memorial Handicap Chase 2m 6f

The form of the Kilbeggan race in which Mica Malpic finished third last month received a significant boost with the winner following up in the Kerry National on Wednesday. Enda Bolger’s six-year-old was a winner at the Harvest Festival last September so has already proven his effectiveness over this track. He looks the one with the most improvement in him.

Mars Harper has taken time to show his true potential over fences but there was much to like about his recent Galway win. Gordon Elliott’s gelding should be ideally suited to this trip.

SELECTION: MICA MALPIC

Next best: Mars Harper

5.05 John & Terry Moriarty Memorial(Q.R.) H’cap Chase 3m

Robinstown looks well treated off top weight in this race given his mark is 8lb below his hurdles rating. Trainer Cian Collins, a Tralee native, would like nothing better than a winner at this local meeting. The eight-year-old gelding has plenty of jumping experience, having come through the point-to-point ranks prior to going hurdling.

Definiteadare will find this harder than the Killarney contest in which he landed a gamble recently but the Charles Coakley-trained gelding remains on a very workable mark.

SELECTION: ROBINSTOWN

Next best: Definiteadare

5.40 Brendan Daly Memorial Slan Abhaile(Pro/Am) INH Flat Race 2m

I Will Be Baie can follow up his Galway win last month in the hands of Patrick Mullins. A point-to-point winner for Colin Bowe last year, the five-year-old was surprisingly beaten at short odds on his debut for Willie Mullins at Punchestown in June but made up for that reversal with a taking display last time. The Crillon gelding will most likely attempt to lead from flag fall.

Intense Approach boasts identical form figures, also winning his point, getting beat on racecourse debut, before winning last time. Although that Bellewstown contest wouldn’t have been as strong as the Galway win of I Will Be Baie, he could only beat the opposition on the day.

SELECTION: I WILL BE BAIE

Next best: Intense Approach