Cases can be made for plenty in here. Verdant Place is 2-2 over C&D and he should go well again, as should the hat-trick seeker Hillsdale if seeing out this longer trip. Bleu d'Enfer is respected, as is Mousey Brown but CANAL END gets the nod. His run behind Answer To Kayf at Naas was encouraging and he should be well suited by this longer trip. Cheerful Chap is one to consider at bigger odds. [Dave Stephens]
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One of two for yard; progressive hurdler last season; jumping errors have held him back over the bigger obstacles so far, though he did put in a slightly better round of jumping on latest at Naas two weeks ago; not sure the step up to this trip will suit and others appeal more.
One of two for yard; maiden hurdle winner over 2m7f on heavy at Fairyhouse in December 2023; best chase effort came on his chase debut when 11l behind Champ Kiely in a beginners at Fairyhouse (21.5f, yielding to soft); not as good since and now makes his handicap debut in first time cheekpieces; probably best watched.
Notched up back to back handicap chase wins at Kilbeggan and Punchestown last June; has won at this trip over hurdles and goes on any ground; pleasing return to action in a Grade 3 mares hurdle at Punchestown behind Jade De Grugy last month; will need a career best off this mark but that's not impossible; each way claims.
131 rated hurdler has yet to reach the same heights over fences; produced his best effort in this sphere on latest when beaten 6l behind Golden Joy at Leopardstown (2m1f) earlier this month; the step up in trip will suit and the ground is fine but this looks a tough task on handicap chase debut.
Perth maiden hurdle winner is 1-6 over fences; won a 2m5f beginners at Cork in December; produced another solid effort in a rated novice chase latest at Fairyhouse (4.75l ahead of Verdant Place); weighted to uphold that form but most of his best form is going right-handed.
Two time C&D winner off 109 in December on yielding and off 116 last month on soft to heavy; held by Banjaxed on Fairyhouse running in January but clearly likes it here and a 4lb rise for that last win doesn't seem too harsh; could go well if as effective on this better ground.
Second runner for yard; Downpatrick maiden hurdle winner is 0-5 in this sphere; shaped okay in a couple of beginners' chases but no impact in two handicap chases, though he did scope dirty after the first one; can't be totally discounted in first time tongue tie given the form of his yard but others have stronger claims.
Winning hurdler is 0-10 in chases but has run well in defeat on many occasions; beaten by narrow margins in three of last four starts, including in handicap chases at Carlisle the last twice over 2m (soft) off 120 and 2m5f (good) off 122; same mark here and should be on the premises again.
2m4f maiden hurdle winner in April 2023; 0-5 over fences but produced his best effort yet on latest at Naas in January (2m4f, soft); kept on nicely for second that day, is just 1lb higher now and he ran well in a 3m1f handicap hurdle at this venue in December 2023; interesting.
On a hat-trick after wins at Naas (2m, yielding) off 98 and Clonmel (17.5f, soft) off 109; up another 11lb now and pitched into a deeper race over a longer trip on different ground; a bit to prove but clearly in good heart and can't be totally dismissed.
Gained his first win in a Listed handicap chase over 20.5f (heavy) here earlier this month (Global Export 9l behind); raised 6lb for that 3l win; previously ran well over C&D when a 4.25l third behind Verdant Place and is now 2lb worse off with that rival; place claims.
Second runner for yard and deserted by Blackmore; won a 4yo hurdle on final start in France; mild promise in first two novice chases then third in a novice handicap off this mark at Clonmel (16.5f, soft) last month; unproven over this far and probably best watched unless strong in the betting.
Flat and maiden hurdle winner is 1-6 over fences; that win came at Down Royal's Christmas meeting in a beginners'; finished 9l behind Prince Palace over 20.5f here on latest; better off at weights now and could reverse the form on this better ground if staying the trip; not without a chance.
Three-time hurdles winner on testing ground is 0-5 over the bigger obstacles; big prices and failed to complete the last twice; tongue tie returns but he's hard to make a case for on recent showings.
1-7 over fences, the win coming in a Kilbeggan beginners' chase in May last year; has finished third the last twice but was well-beaten on both occasions; dropped another 1lb to 115 but needs more to feature in this.
Three-time winning hurdler is 0-6 in chases but has placed in five of those runs; proved no match for Hillsdale on latest but could get closer to that rival over this longer trip (placed over 24.5f over hurdles); his rider's 5lb claim negates the fact that he is 3lb out of the handicap; could go well at a price.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3,4
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
