Leaving Cert student Paul Hourigan has used his weekends away from school to build up an entirely justifiable reputation as one of the brightest young riding talents in the country, a reputation that could be boosted yet further with a double at Naas today.

Hourigan, 17, is at the moment without a claim, but he looks more than capable of holding his own in the Cleary Doyle Johnstown Hurdle, where he rides Ballygowan Beauty.

This is a competitive contest, with the likes of Aboriginal, Cliffs Of Dooneen and Lite N Easy bound to attract plenty of support, but the Hourigan six-year-old could provide a bit of value.

There was a lot to like about the way that Ballygowan Beauty ran on into third place behind Native Estates and Promalee in the Deloitte & Touche at Leopardstown three weeks ago.

Today's extra quarter mile should also suit admirably on ground which has generally been stamina sapping in recent weeks. Aboriginal is on trial for the SunAlliance Hurdle and should go close, but the biggest danger of all to Ballygowan Beauty may be Lite N Easy who ran a blinder at Gowran last time. The three-mile handicap hurdle looks very trappy, but young Hourigan gets on very well with Runabout, trained by Andrew McNamara, who also runs Glin Castle in the race, and Runabout also looked slightly unlucky when seeing daylight too soon at Clonmel last time.

The richest contest on the card is the £20,000 QK Newlands Chase, where the remarkable course specialist, Opera Hat, takes on the Victor Chandler winner, Jeffell, and Merry Gale, who remains a Cheltenham Gold Cup possible.

Opera Hat is bidding to win this contest for the third year in a row and it will be a brave punter who dismisses her chance despite the quality opposition. She has been unlucky in her last two efforts but seems to be a different animal around here, and Garrett Cotter should be in for a very good ride against Jeffell, who can occasionally disappoint, and Merry Gale who will not get things all his own way in front. Another rider with prospects of a double is Conor O'Dwyer. The novice Society Brief could be a blot on the handicap in the Supporters Handicap Hurdle, while Arthur Moore can provide him with another winner in the shape of The Quads, an impressive winner at Leopardstown, who has the edge on experience over the smart Cailin Supreme in the Nas Na Riogh Novice Chase.