After a couple of inspections this morning Fairyhouse, which has been unfit for racing for most of this week, will happily go ahead this afternoon – however the two chases at the end of the card are still in jeopardy and are likely to be the subject of a late decision.

With all jump racing in England abandoned Ruby Walsh made a good call in staying at home this weekend, though the multiple champion jockey has just the one ride this afternoon and Maggie Connolly faces no easy task in the 2m conditions hurdle at 2.05.

The mare unseated her rider at Limerick on her only previous outing this season on what was her first start since shedding her maiden tag there a year earlier and despite Willie Mullins’ brilliant form it might be worth taking her on with Ballysteen. Michael Hourigan’s charge was out of his depth in a Grade 1 at Leopardstown when last seen just over a month ago but his previous third to Lord Windermere at Punchestown reads very well.

Mullins as usual looks highly likely to be on the scoresheet at some stage during proceedings, with Christmas bumper winner The Bosses Cousin in particular having been found a good opportunity to open his account at the first time of asking over jumps in the maiden hurdle which kicks off proceedings. Those with previous experience look a rather uninspiring bunch, and while it wasn’t a strong race that Patrick Mullins’ mount won at Leopardstown it did at least prove that he has retained plenty of the ability he showed before an injury-enforced layoff.

Peking To Paris, the father and son combination’s representative in the bumper on today’s card, makes plenty of appeal on paper and may prove too strong for Gordon Elliott’s point-to-point winner Deadliest Catch, while Down Under is taken to bounce back from a disappointing defeat at Navan before Christmas in the 2m4f handicap hurdle at 2.35. Francis Flood’s gelding, who had previously landed a gamble at Proudstown Park in some style, may still have room to fly higher than his mark of 106 and it is worth noting that the same connections’ Senior Again obliged in similar circumstances last Sunday.

Should the action over the larger obstacles get the green light Rathlin, who appeared transformed by a wind operation when finally translating his good form over hurdles to this new discipline when hacking up in a beginners event last month, will deservedly be a short price to follow up in the novice chase at 4.15