Loads with chances. West Away looked to be on the way back at Limerick recently but this drop in trip may not ideally suit so the vote goes to ZOFFANIEN, whose recent Navan comeback run has been franked by the winner again since. Others with claims include Pray Tell, the still unexposed Goraibhmaithagat and the Cromwell pair Addragole and Tonaghneave Well. [Alan Hewison]
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Much improved this season, winning handicaps at Kilbeggan and Listowel before career-best in winning 3m Grade 3 novice here in December (soft); never landed a blow upped to Grade 1 company at DRF but respected back in handicap company here, although trip on the short side.
Point-to-point winner for Derek O'Connor last season; winning rules debut in 2m Navan maiden hurdle in December and chased home clear-cut winners both starts since when favourite in novice events, drop back to 2m at Naas on latest didn't really suit; back up in trip for handicap debut with potential for more.
Dual bumper winner scrambled home in 2m4f Leopardstown maiden hurdle at Christmas; well held twice since in valuable handicaps, latest in 2m5f Martin Pipe behind a stablemate; slight drop in trip to suit but more needed.
Several placings in maidens before 2m Clonmel win (soft); narrowly failed to follow up on better ground in 2m Wexford handicap and now steps up in trip; progressive.
Maiden hurdle win came here (2m1f) and most of racing since has been over fences, disappointing of late in handicaps; reverts to hurdles here with something to prove.
AW winner on the Flat in Britain has been a steady improver over hurdles of late, most recently appreciating better ground to win 2m1f Limerick maiden going away; longer trip and rain-softened ground may test his stamina here on handicap debut.
Bumper and maiden hurdle winner on good ground; has done well in handicaps, narrowly beaten at Navan (2m) and only faded late on when third over 2m4f at Fairyhouse in November when cheekpieces tried; 5yo back from a break with potential for more and slightly shorter trip to suit.
Promise in maiden hurdles last season and off the mark when bolting up in 2m Fairyhouse opportunity handicap in January on soft; disappointing favourite following month in similar Naas contest, reluctant to post and fading quite tamely; upped in trip here.
Won 2m4f handicap here last season in testing conditions and took his form to new heights last summer on good ground, runner-up at Punchestown handicap before going one better at Roscommon (2m5f); encouraging run on second start back when getting similar ground at Limerick 10 days ago, staying on late into fourth; drop in trip may not be in his favour here.
Three-time hurdles winner at around 2m; very encouraging comeback run at Navan last month when staying on third behind a revitalised rival (won again since) over 2m4f (heavy); better ground to suit and likely major player off a nice mark.
Thurles maiden win came at 2m on good ground; tough ask in Grade 2 on soft ground when blinkers tried and most recently effectively brought down at first in Wexford novice; only second handicap run so may still improve.
Back to his best to land 23-runner 2m6f Navan handicap hurdle (yielding) in November; failed to back that up twice since however, latest in similar Thurles contest last month, following a short break; not an obvious one dropped in trip but don't rule out.
2m4f Limerick handicap winner last season (heavy) has had a relatively light campaign since, definite promise last time at Naas in February, just failing to stay 2m7f; back in trip here and don't rule out.
Promising efforts to finish third over 2m4f at Leopardstown and extended 2m2f at Naas in maidens but not so good dropped in trip at Navan last time; return to longer trip for handicap debut could suit; also due to run at Fairyhouse yesterday (2.10).
Four-time winner for Declan Queally at up to 2m6f; solid efforts in defeat twice over hurdles for her current trainer but disappointing the last twice, let down by jumping at Naas on latest; just 2lb above last winning mark so don't rule out.
1/5 Odds Place 1,2,3,4,5
( Pool guide displayed could change before the race starts & should be used as a guide only )
