The rain softened ground is a concern for a few of these, including Romella and Old Kenmare. Cramers Valley should handle conditions and he has place claims, as do Queen Of Seduction, The Vegas Raider and King of The Bronx, but a chance is taken on the locally trained A NOD TO GETAWAY. He'll enjoy the ground, the drop back to 2m is fine and he ran well over further here in December. [Dave Stephens]
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Won a handicap hurdle at Wexford (2m1f, yielding) off 94 back in August; off since below par effort off revised mark over 2m4f at the same venue in October; would prefer a sounder surface and lacks a run.
Dual-purpose sort is 1-16 over hurdles, the win coming on yielding to soft ground off 94 at Ballinrobe (2m1f); fine run back there over 21.5f (good) on return from a break latest; up 3llb and different trip/ground here; not discounted.
1-11 over hurdles; has run well on soft ground in two of his last three starts; 3lb rise for 7l second on latest at Naas seems harsh; trip and ground fine though and he has place claims again.
Gained first win under Rules at the twentieth attempt in a Wexford handicap chase latest (19.5f, yielding); rated 7lb lower over hurdles but he needs better ground than he's likely to encounter here.
Won at Kilbeggan in second handicap hurdle start off 88 in August 2023; ran well off revised mark a month later but only seen once since, in May 2024, and that was a poor effort at Clonmel; best watched after almost a year off.
0-6 over hurdles; switch to handicaps hasn't changed his fortunes; his sixth last time at Clonmel was a remote one; down another 2lb but he needs to show more.
Won on soft ground at Wexford in May 2024 off 83; generally consistent when he's had soft ground and placed on heavy on his last two starts at Clonmel and Limerick; nudged up 3lb for a 5l second on latest but should be competitive again; chance.
Two-time Flat turf winner remains a maiden after eight runs over timber; best effort yet a 2.25l second of 18 at Naas earlier this month (2m, good to yielding); claims if building on that and she has won on testing ground on the level; not out of this.
Gained second career win off 82 at Gowran (2m, good) in October; left off after poor run at Limerick the following month, presumably to wait for summer ground, and she won't get that here.
0-5 over hurdles; not much promise in maidens and now drops back in trip after a couple of tame efforts in handicaps at around 2m5f; dropped 2lb for last run but may need more experience.
Minor promise in third maiden hurdle when sixth at Thurles (15.5f, good); failed to make an impact on handicap debut at Naas latest; down 2lb but didn't show enough to make him of interest here.
0-6 over hurdles; well beaten first five starts but was in the process of showing a little bit more on latest at Naas (2m, good to yielding) when falling three out; locally trained and worth a market check.
Veteran mare has won four times over hurdles, including on latest in November at Thurles (2m, good); up 5lb but has won off higher marks in the past; may need this run after five months off and soft ground is a concern.
0-8 over hurdles; best effort came here over 2m4f on penultimate on soft ground when beaten 1.75l off 85; not as good latest upped to 2m7f in a handicap chase at Tramore; drops markedly in trip and reverts to hurdles; place claims.
Has improved for switch to handicaps; remote third at Clonmel (18.5f, good) followed by a 2l second of 11 at the same venue four days ago over 2m1f (good to yielding); same mark here but different ground; chance if he handles it.
0-17 over hurdles but knocking on the door in recent starts; has finished second under front-running rides here (16.5f, good) and at Limerick (2m, good) on last two starts; has run well on soft; should make a bold bid again.
Flat claimer winner (on soft) is 0-6 over hurdles; best effort yet in this sphere on latest at Fairyhouse (2m, good to yielding); still relatively early days in this sphere and he should appreciate the softer ground; in good hands and can't discount.
1-6 over hurdles but that win came in June 2021 at Navan (2m4f, good); off since heavy defeat over C&D in November 2021; best watched after long absence.
Eleven-race maiden under Rules is 0-9 over hurdles; one of better efforts came over this C&D but was still beaten 15.5l and that was on good ground; hard to make a solid case for.
0-11 over hurdles but has shown glimpses of ability, such as when a 6.25l third of 11 at Wexford (16.5f, soft) in October; hasn't built on that in three runs since and the yard has a better chance with Cramers Valley.
Second reserve; dual-purpose maiden has shown glimmers of potential in a couple of his handicap hurdles, including in a first-time tongue tie at Naas last April and it is back on today; attracted market support on latest but ran poorly; worth a market check if gets a run.
Third reserve; huge odds and ran accordingly in three maiden hurdles at 2m-3m; could improve for switch to handicaps but may need the experience; probably best watched.
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 )
