A key race could be the C&D handicap in which GLENEAGLE BAY split Rhythm King and Orandi at the end of last season. Colin Keane's runner is the least exposed of that trio and gets the vote, with the other two by no means ruled out. Raadobarg, the 2022 winner and third last year, rates a major threat off his reduced mark. Smooth Tom ideally needs further but was second in this event last season. The high-class Crypto Force makes his handicap debut for an in-form stable. [Alan Sweetman]
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C&D winner of Group 2 Beresford Stakes in 2022 for Michael O'Callaghan; exposed in good company last season over middle distances; back to 1m now for stable in good form at Dundalk in the early months of the year.
Is 2-15 on turf; won a 1m1f Tipperary handicap off 90 last October on soft; traffic problems when just denied third in a 1m2f heavy ground Listed race at Leopardstown; ran over 1m4f on final start; gelded since, others preferred.
Won over 1m2f at Goodwood last July off 95; far too keen when an unplaced favourite over the same trip at this venue in September; out of the money in a Listed race at Dundalk later that month; first time over this trip since mid-field finish in this 12 months ago.
In good form in the early part of last season when successful in 1m handicaps at Ripon and Doncaster; confirmed a liking for soft ground with 1m Haydock win in September; has been found wanting in stakes races, respected at this level with trip and ground to suit.
Winner of this race for Johnny Murtagh, third of 19 last season when trained by George Boughey; generally disappointing since and the most recent of his five wins was for Murtagh in a 7f conditions race at Tipperary in April 2022; change of stable for 2025 campaign.
Useful seven-time Flat winner (six in France); scoring off mark of 87 over this trip at Leopardstown last October; seventh of 17 behind today's rival Rhythm King over C&D on final start; ran three times over hurdles subsequently, failing to build on a promising first run.
Won two of his last three Flat starts last season, one of them a conditions race over 1m4f at this venue; later set stiff tasks in high-profile hurdle races; suited by 1m4f and has never won over this trip; however, ran a blinder to finish second in this event 12 months ago.
Reeled off a hat-trick last summer and better again in defeat in a conditions event at Galway in September; 2l behind Orandi when third at Listowel; later struggled in testing ground in a Leopardstown event in which Orandi was second.
Useful form for Alan McIntyre in valuable handicaps last season, highlighted by 1m4f Listowel win; also fourth in a 1m2f premier handicap at this venue (Indigo Five second); trip may be inadequate; has changed stable.
Two middle-distance wins in Germany in 2022; has lost form since a solid effort in fifth in the 2m4f Ascot Stakes in 2023; no sign of a revival in four runs over hurdles; tongue-tie tried; unlikely to have the pace to be competitive over 1m.
Lost out by a nose in a handicap over 1m2f at this venue last October, having previously finished second to Kortez Bay over 1m1f at Tipperary; remote fifth in a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse in January; could go well.
Dundalk winner for Joseph O'Brien; fine effort in the 7f Sovereign Path at Leopardstown in September on handicap debut; again second when splitting Rhythm King and Orandi over C&D in November; strong chance with Colin Keane booked, stable in form at Dundalk.
Reliable sort, 4-17 on turf and placed eight times; signed off for 2024 with a 1m victory at Redcar in October; never in the hunt at Southwell last month but could be a different proposition now.
Winner and twice placed in consecutive handicap runs (over three different trips) at this venue between June and September last year; did well to finish fifth of 16 in a Listed race at Naas in October; lost two places near the finish when fifth over C&D in November, now faces a rematch with the first three.
Useful form in France early in his career; long-priced course winner over 7f on soft last May; showed notable consistency in five starts under Cathy O'Leary's supervision, including when second to Titanium at Leopardstown in October; had returned to Tony Martin's care when third of 17 behind Rhythm King and Gleneagle Bay in November; leading chance.
Four-time winner including over 7f at this venue in 2022; won twice last year, including an early-season 7f handicap at Cork; also ran a fine race when 50-1 third of 27 over C&D in August; out of her depth in Listed race on final two starts; new stable now.
Won a 7f maiden on soft ground for Harry Eustace at three; started 2024 season brightly at Newbury before losing form; fair sixth in a valuable Galway festival handicap over an extended 1m on Irish debut; failed to match that form at the same venue in September; in rear in a maiden hurdle at Christmas.
Three wins from four starts at Dundalk; not beaten far in fourth when losing his unbeaten AW record last month; 0-12 on turf but has run some good races in defeat; should be better for the Dundalk outing, his first since last June.
Ten wins to his name, last three have been on soft/heavy; 0-8 at this venue; lost form after a 7f win at Haydock last April; finished behind Orandi and No More Porter at Naas on his final start last season.
Front-running winner of a 1m4f maiden for Aidan O'Brien on good ground at this venue last summer; has shown a fair standard of form in reaching the money in three starts over hurdles; final start for Ballydoyle was over 2m; this may prove inadequate.
Enjoyed a terrific second half to 2023, winning four on the trot; also a winning juvenile hurdler later that year; ran only twice last season, still 2lb above her last winning mark, best form over 1m, though has won over 1m4f.
All three turf wins have come at this venue; placed five times here and fifth in this in 2023; uneven form last year, signing off with Dundalk third behind Catch The Paddy.
Has failed to prosper over hurdles since last seen on the Flat; four wins in this sphere; failed to add to his score last term and ended the season down the field in the C&D handicap won by Rhythm King from Gleneagle Bay and Orandi.
Completely out of form in three runs early last season; won at Galway in October on first run since May, taking advantage of reduced mark; defied a 10lb rise when winning over C&D at the end of the week; good chance if revival is sustained.
