A 10-1 each-way tip at Fairyhouse on Saturday

It is that time of year when we fear frozen tracks but Fairyhouse is positive that its Winter Festival will go ahead this weekend - providing it passes a 7.30am inspection on Saturday morning. The two-day event kicks off with a Grade 3 and a Listed contest before the heavyweights roll in on Sunday for three Grade 1 contests.

There is plenty of value up for grabs on Saturday’s card and you can get €30 in free bets with SBK:

11.45 Fairyhouse Jim Ryan Racecourse Services Beginners Steeplechase 2m5f

Won in the past by Monkfish and Minella Crooner, this fascinating beginners’ chase is packed with quality as some useful sorts go head to head. Corbetts Cross, Three Card Brag, Good Time Jonny and Nick Rockett are all closely matched on form.

Willie Mullins has won this contest twice in the last four years and it looks like Nick Rockett could add to that tally. The Walk In the Park gelding is a course winner and was ultra impressive when landing a Grade 2 over 2m4f here by fifteen lengths back in April. He can continue his upward progression.

Three Card Brag is another course winner in the field and landed two prizes over hurdles last season. He was a little disappointing at Cheltenham and Punchestown but he has always been highly thought of and Jack Kennedy recently reported he has been schooling very well.

Corbetts Cross is on the ‘horses to follow’ list for many punters and is a Grade 2 winner over hurdles. He went off favourite for the Grade 1 Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham when running out at the final flight. Trained by Emmet Mullins, he should improve for his third on seasonal debut at Naas last month.

Cheltenham Festival-winner Good Time Jonny needs to improve on his previous outings over fences to get close.

2.00 EasyFix Equine Handicap Steeplechase (Listed) 2m1f

The Big Chap has excellent form in the book having beaten My Mate Mozzie by two lengths at this venue back in October, when he returned at 50-1. The Paul Flynn-trained improver showed that was no fluke with a follow-up win at Galway and he is fancied to land the hat-trick on his preferred ground. The Grand Annual at Cheltenham is his big target.

Fighting Fit will be popular in the betting following two wins at Galway and Listowel and the form has worked out well with subsequent winners emerging from both of those contests. He is a big danger and is helped with Gavin Brouder taking 5lb off his back.

2.35 Fairyhouse WillowWarm Hurdle (Grade 3) 2m

Nusret will benefit from race-finess having run on the Flat through the summer. A Grade-2 winner over hurdles, Joseph O’Brien’s smart type is down in class here, although must give plenty of weight to his rivals.

His biggest danger is Gust Of Wind who finished third over course and distance back in April in a Grade 2 and was fourth in the Grade 1 Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. Willie Mullins has made no secret of the fact that he thinks he may be a top-flight sort and he is expected to improve.

Golden Joy cannot be ruled out for the red-hot duo of Gordon Elliott and Jack Kennedy and should come on for his debut run in Ireland at Naas when finishing third.