Guinness Novice Hurdle

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 5m 0.0s

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Selected odds by:

Robin Des Foret²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 135

4/1

Progressive sort who made it three wins from four hurdle starts by comfortably making all over 2m4f at Roscommon (good to yielding) last month, beating Clara Sorrento by 7L. Sets the standard but Walsh prefers Lac Kivu.

Form: 211-121

Dorans River^t²³

Age: 7| Weight: 11-9| J: James Bowen⁽⁷⁾| T: G Elliott| OR: 125| BF

20/1

Had Robin Des Foret over 3L behind when winning at Roscommon over 2m4f on soft ground two runs back but no match for that rival on slightly quicker ground over the same C&D last time. Capable of making his presence felt.

Form: PP-1216

Its All Guesswork^t²⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott

10/1

Mid-division on his hurdling debut at Leopardstown before showing a fair level of ability in three bumpers. Much-improved on second attempt over hurdles when scoring readily at Bellewstown (3m, good) last time but bigger questions asked over a shorter trip in better company.

Form: 762-21

Oakly²³

Age: 5| Weight: 11-6| J: P D Kennedy⁽³⁾| T: P G Fahey| OR: 124

12/1

Shock winner of a maiden hurdle at Roscommon (2m4f, soft) in June and far from disgraced when beaten just under 8L behind Robin Des Foret there next time. Took quite a keen hold there, so likely there is still a fair bit to come from him.

Form: C14

Bhutan¹¹

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: B J Geraghty| T: J P O'Brien

4/1

Flat winner on heavy ground who struggled when pitched straight into a Grade 1 event at Leopardstown for his hurdling debut in February. Not completely fluent when landing the odds in a maiden hurdle at Tipperary next time and plenty of scope for improvement.

Form: 6-1

Lac Kivu⁶⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 11-0| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins

5/6

Useful Flat form in his native France and was strongly-fancied to make a winning start for new connections in a 24-runner maiden hurdle at Punchestown (2m4f, good) and duly obliged in fetching fashion. Clearly an exciting prospect and looks the one to beat with Ruby Walsh aboard.

Form: 1

Forecasts

Lac Kivu (5/6), Robin Des Foret (4/1), Bhutan (4/1), Its All Guesswork (10/1), Oakly (12/1), Dorans River (20/1)

A quality contest in which Robin Des Foret sets the standard, though the fact that Ruby Walsh has chosen to ride stablemate LAC VIVU is an obvious pointer to the chances of the unexposed youngster who sluiced home emphatically at Punchestown on his debut. Fellow four-year-old Bhutan also looks an exciting prospect and could prove most troublesome.