Dual Cheltenham Festival winner JAZZY MATTY (nap) was an impressive winner of the Grand Annual in March and can race from a 17lb lower hurdles mark here. He wasn't beaten far behind Lord Erskine at Fairyhouse 11 days ago and can improve on better ground. At likely decent odds, Mousey Brown is expected to improve dramatically on this ground, while Thecompanysergeant, Impose Toi and Raglan Road are also considered in a wide-open affair. [Adrian Wall]
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Handicap form figures read 123124; excellent second in the Coral Cup at Cheltenham (2m5f, good to soft) in first-time cheekpieces; lost good early position at Aintree (2m4f, good to soft) last time before making late headway to finish fourth; 2lb lower here; shortlisted.
Lightly raced mare who won twice in France on heavy ground; well held on stable debut at Limerick; faced only two rivals when making all to win mares' hurdle at that course (2m, soft) in March; Mark Walsh prefers Raglan Road but respected for top yard.
Won maiden hurdle at this course (2m, heavy) last term for Willie Mullins but well held in valuable handicaps; raced too freely when soundly beaten on stable debut at Leopardstown; improved in first-time tongue-tie (retained) when never-nearer seventh of 16 at Fairyhouse 11 days ago; potential improver up in trip.
Well beaten in 2m4f premier handicap at Aintree last month behind Wellington Arch; gained his two wins over 2m6f-3m; only headed close home when fourth in this corresponding race last year off 132, beaten 1.25l; each-way possibilities if he can recapture that form.
Record of 1-9 over fences for previous yard but lost a winning chance only late on when making debut for this yard over hurdles at Navan (2m4f, soft) in January; strong in the betting when runner-up over fences in the Plate at Cheltenham on latest; has to be of interest off lower hurdles mark.
Got up late to win over C&D (good to yielding) in October and made good late headway for third of 23 at Navan (2m6f, yielding) next time; close call at Carlisle (3m1f, soft) in December; couldn't get on terms in the Pertemps but should be rattling home well here.
Veteran dual-purpose performer who won very valuable 2m handicap at last year's DRF on favoured soft ground off 120; sprang another surprise when landing Listed handicap at Fairyhouse (2m, yielding to soft) 11 days ago but he's far from guaranteed to back that up.
Notched up back-to-back handicap chase wins at Kilbeggan and over C&D last June, both on good ground; pleasing return to action in Grade 3 mares' hurdle here in February behind Jade De Grugy; below best the last twice but promise of decent ground makes her very interesting.
Yet to race on proper decent ground; won at Naas (2m3f, soft) off 119 last season; keeping-on fifth on return at Navan in January and raised his game again when third to the progressive Wodhooh in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham; races from same mark here and is the choice of Mark Walsh.
Placed several times in maidens before 2m Clonmel win (soft); narrowly failed to follow up on better ground in 2m Wexford handicap and was only headed on the run-in when third at Cork (2m3f, soft) 13 days ago; up another 2lb but should be in the mix.
Took well to hurdling in first half of this season; backed up debut Kilbeggan maiden win by landing 2m2f Downpatrick novice handicap in October; stayed 2m3f well when winning Listed mares' novice at this course in December; outclassed in Grade 1 on latest; much calmer waters here.
Novice hurdler who ran well in second at Uttoxeter (2m4f, good to soft) on handicap debut in March before going one better in a 20-runner field at Aintree, seeing off the fast-finishing Kopeck De Mee by a neck; handles good and thereabouts again off 7lb higher.
Has won back-to-back runnings of valuable Cartmel handicap for the last two summers; has been regressive since his last win last summer and likely to fall well short here.
Can be reluctant to race; Listed Flat winner in 2023; has scored twice over hurdles this term, latterly in new headgear (retained since) for stable debut in Listed mares' handicap at Leopardstown (2m2f, soft) in February; unable to get involved at Kelso; never a factor in the Coral Cup but can't be dismissed.
Won back-to-back handicaps in May/June of last year, including at this course; well beaten on return from a break in Grade 3 novice at Navan; pulled up at Leopardstown in December; tailed off at Navan on latest; hard to fancy.
Two of five career wins have come at Cheltenham Festival, landing the 2023 Fred Winter and this year's Grand Annual Handicap Chase off 135; respectable sixth behind Lord Erskine at Fairyhouse 11 days ago; races from 17lb lower hurdles mark and has to be greatly respected on better ground.
Beat Grade 2 Aintree bumper scorer Seo Linn on Ballinrobe debut last May (good); steady improvement in maiden hurdles in the winter, getting off the mark in this headgear combination (back on) to win at Naas in February; ran as if something amiss (headgear left off) on handicap debut 11 days ago.
Flat winner for previous yard and has won 2m2f Listowel maiden hurdle for current yard; wasn't discredited in the Martin Pipe at Cheltenham but never figured behind Lord Erskine on latest and others appeal more.
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 )
