Last year's winning yard is represented here by the lightly raced 6yo Arkhill, who demands respect. Others on the shortlist include Chiefs Kingdom, Dromleigh, I Masked Du Potier and Made U Look, but the selection goes to Cheltenham also-ran WEST OF CARRIG now dropped markedly in grade. [Alan Hewison]
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Mount Nelson 6yo finished second on point-to-point debut at Punchestown in February before landing long odds in 4-finisher Durrow maiden following month (yielding); yard won this race last year so has to be respected.
Came home alone when scoring at Borris House in December 2023; just fair form in three hunter-chases, will need to jump better than at Thurles last time when cheekpieces tried.
Half-brother to winners including Ballymoy (smart 2m-3m1f hurdler/chaser); dam bumper/2m4f hurdle winner; fairly useful form when placed in maiden hurdles last season and okay run in Wexford beginners chase; back from 283-day absence when second in Ballycahane maiden point-to-point last month for Aidan Fitzgerald; one to consider.
Useful form in point-to-points this term, beating a subsequent winner at Dungarvan and came home alone at Knockanohill; never really recovered from bad blunder on rules debut in Tramore hunters chase a week ago.
Won at Ballindenisk in December (soft) and best effort latest when second (Midnight Moonshine third) at Nenagh last month on good-to-yielding; not one to rule out.
Went well under rules last season, narrowly losing out over 2m5f at Clonmel and third at Fairyhouse (3m); better again on track return last month when fourth in 2m4f Down Royal winners' contest on good ground; should be thereabouts back in maiden company.
Progressive pointer the winner of three of last four starts for this rider, most recently last month at Nenagh and when ready winner of 3-finisher Ballycrystal open; may not want too much rain.
0-7 in point-to-points but much better form on rules debut a week ago when strong-finishing second in 2m6f hunters chase (yielding); this likely a stronger race however.
Lightly raced 6yo came good at fourth attempt between the flags when taking Kildorrery maiden last month under a positive ride (second and third have won since); form looks solid and no surprise if local challenger played a major role here.
Dual point-to-point winner including at Knockmullen House in November but disappointing since, latest when faller two out when closing at Loughbrickland last month; respected yard, considered.
Upset a hot favourite at at Comea in February (yielding) and just behind Drive On Jimmey when third at Nenagh, below best at Lscarrol last time though; tongue-tie on for rules debut.
Sole win from 11 attempts between the flags came in Kildorrery adjacent maiden last month (soft); unseated on hunter chase debut at Thurles and carried out at Liscarroll latest; others preferred.
Knockanard point-to-point winner in 2022 for Paul Nolan and placed hurdler last season for current yard; pulled up on last month's comeback run at Liscarroll, having never featured; hard to be confident in.
Quite smart form when making all for open wins in February at Dungarvan and Tallow; unseated at the last, having trailed throughout, in Cheltenham Foxhunters last month; sights lowered considerably here and likely big player.
