A wide-open affair and although he is a better hurdler, this is a good opportunity for WARM IN GOREY (nap) to gain a first chase victory. The frustrating and expensive to follow In The Trenches should be thereabouts again, while despite being 2lb wrong at the weights, Onebrightbluerose is also on the shortlist. [Adrian Wall]
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24-race maiden under rules and a beaten favourite six times; best effort over fences when clear second to an improver in Navan handicap (2m1f, soft) in March off 107; needed a stiffer test when third of four in Tramore novice latest; should go well.
Flat/hurdles winner; struggled on his first two runs over fences; much-improved when runner-up at Limerick on handicap chase debut (19.5f, good) off 99; drop in trip is fine and can be ridden aggressively; contender.
Versatile veteran; won Ballinrobe handicap chase (2m1f, good to yielding) last September off 101 but hasn't threatened to add to that tally over hurdles or fences since; went off favourite when fifth over hurdles at Tramore on latest; won't hang about on the front end.
Won sole point-to-point outing; some creditable efforts under rules without winning; expensive to follow over hurdles but now a potential improver sent chasing; could be on a good mark on chase debut.
Four-time point-to-point winner; 2-6 over fences under rules; was last seen comfortably winning Killarney handicap chase (23.5f, yielding) in October; 7lb higher here and has 214-day absence to overcome; drop in trip also a worry.
Won Listowel handicap hurdle (2m, soft) last September; beaten favourite next two starts, headed when a faller at Limerick latterly; respectable handicap 9l sixth of 13 on chase debut at Clonmel in February; should improve.
Gained third hurdles win at Thurles in November off 96 (2m4f, good); struggled off revised mark at Fairyhouse later that month; off since but has gone well fresh before; 0-10 over fences but ground will suit and will have strong pace to aim at.
Got off the mark over hurdles at the eighth attempt when landing Limerick handicap (2m, good) four weeks ago; 7lb higher mark to contend with now on chase bow; profile suggests she is not one to place maximum faith in.
Won at Kilbeggan on second handicap hurdle start off 88 in August 2023; has only been seen twice in the last 12 months, tailed off both times; chase debutant; others preferred.
Off the mark in Wexford handicap hurdle (16.5f, good to yielding) last summer; big run when beaten 0.5l on second chase start off 80 at Tramore last month; fourth at Clonmel over hurdles four days later (winner followed up on the Flat at Sligo on Sunday); contender despite being 2lb wrong.
Both wins have been in Thurles handicap chases off 85 and 79; beaten around 8l behind Midnight Eagle in Limerick handicap hurdle four weeks ago; veteran needs to improve; 4lb wrong.
