2.35 Donohue Solutions Cross Country Chase 3m1f

Birchdale rates a classy recruit to this discipline for Enda Bolger but the experience of Vital Island around this course is a massive plus and he could be up to the challenge of making it two wins from three starts here this week. His performance to win the La Touche on Thursday was a step up from what he produced when runner-up to Three By Two in the Ladies Cup on Tuesday. It looked like he was only doing as much as was required in front last time.

Three By Two is back for more and appeared to be well fancied when notching her first win under rules earlier this week. She should be on the premises again as a younger challenger but her profile doesn’t have the same solid look as is the case with Vital Island.

SELECTION: VITAL ISLAND

Next best: Three By Two

3.10 Colm Quinn BMW Handicap Chase 3m7f

Enjoy D’Allen gets a tentative nod if able to bounce back to the sort of form that saw him finish third in the 2021 Irish Grand National and last season’s Paddy Power Chase off higher marks than this. A capable operator when getting away well on the front end over fences, he failed to fire when beginning slowly in the Bobbyjo Chase and never landed a blow once getting detached in the Grand National at Aintree after nearly getting brought down at the second.

If he can get away sharply and get into a rhythm under 5lb claimer Eoin Walsh, the Ciaran Murphy-trained stayer could prove better than his mark of 141. Velvet Elvis is another turning out a fortnight on from disappointing at Aintree. He’s a big player at his best, while Sir Bob stayed on as if a stamina test like this would suit him well last time at Fairyhouse.

SELECTION: ENJOY D’ALLEN

Next best: Velvet Elvis

4.25 Palmerstown House Pat Taaffe Handicap Chase (Grade B) 3m

Dan Skelton can make his fourth runner at Punchestown a winning one with Flegmatik in this €50,000 contest. British raiders Chartreux (2014) and Sizing Codelco (2017) have won this race in recent times, while others such as Regal Encore (2016) and Onefortheroadtom (2019) rattled the crossbar in second.

It was a cracking effort from Flegmatik to just miss out on landing the Coral Trophy Handicap Chase at Kempton in February, splitting Our Power and Frodon, and this track should play to his strengths.

Ben Harvey (claiming 5lb) is a positive jockey booking for top-weight Sam Brown, who fell at the Chair in the Grand National a fortnight ago. His best form gives him a live chance off a mark of 150, having bolted up by 15 lengths from Shan Blue at Aintree last spring when rated 147. His trainer Anthony Honeyball has already got amongst the winners this week.

SELECTION: FLEGMATIK

Next best: Sam Brown

5.30 Fitzwilliam Sports Handicap Hurdle (Grade B) 2m3f

The Shunter can cap a memorable week for Emmet Mullins in a race that should play to his strengths. The 10-year-old is now back down to a mark of 140 - the lowest rating he’s held since winning the 2021 Morebattle Hurdle (off 135). He was also beaten just a length in this race that season off 3lb higher than his current mark. J.P. McManus’ veteran, who split Protektorat and Hitman when second in the Grade 1 Manifesto Novices’ Chase in 2021, has been campaigned sparingly in recent months and has the assistance of Mark Walsh. His owner likes to target this race, having won three of the last seven runnings and claimed second in two other renewals during that period.

Seddon is in the form of his life and looks attractively handicapped off 134. He should be thereabouts if as effective back over hurdles. Green Glory is 1lb out of the handicap but commands respect for Charles Byrnes off 10st.

SELECTION: THE SHUNTER

Next best: Green Glory

6.05 Lawlors Hotel Naas (Pro/Am) Bumper 2m

Willie Mullins can wrap up the 2023 Punchestown Festival on a winning note with Sorrentino, a New Bay newcomer for Ballylinch Stud. There is encouragement in his pedigree that he will stay the trip, with his half-sister Carzola (by Lope De Vega) winning the All-Weather Vase Marathon Handicap over two miles at Lingfield earlier this month.

It’s easy to be interested in several of these on paper and from their point-to-point runs. Walk The Warrior is smartly bred as a brother to this season’s Ten Up Novice Chase winner Churchstonewarrior and recent Fairyhouse Grade B handicap hurdle winner Western Walk. This newcomer’s trainer Mags Mullins won the same contest in 2013 with Cheltenham Festival winner Martello Tower.

Rainbow Trail joined Gordon Elliott and Gigginstown House Stud for £220,000 after finishing second on his sole point-to-point start at Corbeagh House.

SELECTION: SORRENTINO

Next best: Walk The Warrior