The festive racing period is in full flow and there's four more National Hunt meetings across Britain and Ireland to look forward to on Thursday.

Ireland has the two best cards and there are no fewer than three Grade 1 races set to take place at Leopardstown and Limerick.

Our fancy for Leopardstown�s big race appears to have taken his form to a new level this season, making him a big danger to the market principles.

13:50 Leopardstown - Irish Point @ 11/10

The staying hurdling division is incredibly open at the moment, with nothing being able to claim clear superiority. Irish Point�is a newcomer to the scene and takes our fancy for that reason.

Gordon Elliott�s charge is clearly very adaptable with regards to trip and he made a fine start to the season by winning a Grade 3 over 2m1f at Down Royal last month. He conceded weight and a fitness advantage to the useful mare Magical Zoe and won by just shy of two lengths.

Gaining Grade 1 success over 2m4f at Aintree in April, that was easily his best performance to date and the further he went, the better he looked.

The staying crown is there for the taking so some fresh blood could shake up the division and stake a claim. Irish Point is more than capable of running a huge race, as long as the trip proves suitable.

14:05 Limerick - Il Etait Temps @ 11/2

Willie Mullins� Il Etait Temps probably didn�t get the respect he deserved last season, having won a competitive Grade 1 by almost 10 lengths, and it would be dangerous to underestimate him once again.

This son of Jukebox Jury made a fine start to his chasing career at Thurles last month and beat a few useful sorts in the process. Mullins� horses tend to improve significantly for their first runs and Il Etait Temps should be no different.

His novice hurdle form is up there with stablemate Gaelic Warrior�s and the price difference between the two looks a little extreme. Trying an extended 2m3f for the first time here, there�s plenty of evidence in his pedigree to suggest the step up in trip will suit.

14:25 Leopardstown - I Am Maximus @ 10/1

I Am Maximus�has been somewhat overlooked in the market for this race and there are plenty of runners with bigger question marks to answer. He announced himself with a huge victory in the Irish Grand National at Fairyhouse in April and it was an excellent performance, especially for a novice chaser.

Connections took advantage of his novice status when running him in the Drinmore at Fairyhouse on seasonal debut last time. The JP McManus-owned gelding duly obliged over an inadequate trip, suggesting he may have improved this year.

Going back up to three miles will undoubtedly suit him and he�s likely to improve for his latest run. It�ll be interesting to see how far he can go this year and it would be no surprise if he was to make the frame in this Grade 1 event.

Trainer Willie Mullins last won this race in 2018 and I Am Maximus has as good a chance as any of his runners on recent form.