At The Races

Gordon Elliott holds a strong hand in the opener courtesy of Narjawa and TIME TO WORK. The latter was decent on the level and made a very pleasing start to his hurdling career when third behind the useful Bat Masterton, who has subsequently gone very close in a Grade 2. There was plenty to like about the way he stayed on that day and he makes more appeal than his stablemate, who should have learnt a lot from his disappointing first hurdle outing at Ayr. Mazagee was no slouch on the Flat for David Lanigan and warrants the utmost respect on her NH bow for Charles Byrnes, especially if the market speaks in her favour.

• Top Tip: TIME TO WORK (14)
• Watch out for: MAZAGEE (16)

Bumper winner Imperial Cascade and Inish Island have shown ability over timber, a comment that also applies to Perfect Gentleman who went very close over 2m6f in the mud at Thurles on his debut over timber. That effort sets the standard but this drop in trip isn't forced to suit and preference is for BLISSFUL MOMENT, a 97-rated Flat performer who was bought for 165,000gns by JP McManus in October. He looks an exciting recruit to the NH game and could have been handed tougher assignments on his first start for Noel Meade.

• Top Tip: BLISSFUL MOMENT (2)
• Watch out for: PERFECT GENTLEMAN (10)

Sugar Bullet will have her supporters but has no margin for error after going up 4lb in the handicap for finishing third over 2m2f at Leopardstown last month, so today could finally be the turn of LISZT. Still a maiden over hurdles after eight attempts, he has been knocking on the door in novice company of late and looks well treated on his handicap bow. Tequila Lord has also been running well in defeat and holds solid each-way claims.

• Top Tip: LISZT (9)
• Watch out for: SUGAR BULLET (2)

SKORCHER didn't fully see out the 3m trip when fourth here in December and will relish this drop back in distance. The form of that race has worked out well and the Willie Mullins-trained gelding is taken to get the better of Like Your Style, who has mixed in good company over fences and should be full of confidence after returning to hurdles to open his account last month. Cadogan has posted some good efforts in defeat since returning over the larger obstacles and is another for the shortlist.

• Top Tip: SKORCHER (6)
• Watch out for: LIKE YOUR STYLE (4)

AMBER KNIGHT confirmed his fine Thurles effort in early January to be no fluke when comfortably beating subsequent winner Mister First at Down Royal last time and, although a 9lb rise in the ratings is sure to make life tougher, he appears to be on an upward curve and is fancied to follow up. Hidden Present has run well in each of his four starts so far this term (winning two) and should figure prominently once more, while Cottage Oak makes plenty of appeal at the head of the weights after his solid placed effort in Down Royal last time.

• Top Tip: AMBER KNIGHT (12)
• Watch out for: HIDDEN PRESENT (10)

SHOOTIN THE BREEZE could prove difficult to beat on his handicap debut. The Colm Murphy-trained gelding impressed when winning a beginners chase at Thurles last time and, with only three starts over fences under his belt, there is room for a great deal of improvement. From the opposite end of the weights, Yeoman has been knocking on the door and should be in the shake-up once again, while Any Bets won at Ballinrobe on his latest outing in April last year and warrants respect despite returning off a 5lb higher mark.

• Top Tip: SHOOTIN THE BREEZE (2)
• Watch out for: YEOMAN (15)

It's difficult to look past PEKING TO PARIS representing the Willie/Patrick Mullins combination who have cleaned up in these races down the years. The seven-year-old son of Flemensfirth made a promising start to his racing career when runner-up in bottomless conditions at Fairyhouse four weeks ago and should go one better if stepping forward from that. Kasszec warrants respect on her NH debut having won between the flags at Durrow last month, while Cross To Boston appears to be heading the right way and has place claims.

• Top Tip: PEKING TO PARIS (6)
• Watch out for: KASSZEC (8)