Underwriting Exchange Novice Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 15:22 | Winning time: 5m 28.9s

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Selected odds by:

Blow By Blow^b,t¹⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 152| C| D

9/2

Followed up a Grade 3 novice hurdle success at Thurles (2m4f, soft) by taking a competitive handicap at Cheltenham last month. Represents leading connections and is one for the shortlist today.

Form: 321611

Duc Des Genievres¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 147

2/1

Finished behind classy novice Samcro the last twice most recently when 9L fifth at Chetlenham (2m5f, soft) last month. One to to note with the trip and ground to suit.

Form: 1325

Jetz^h1⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 11-5| J: R M Power| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 140| CD

5/1

Maiden hurdle winner at Fairyhouse (2m4f, soft) in November and registered his best effort since when beaten a head in a novice hurdle over 2m6f at Leopardstown (soft) in early February. Wears a hood for the first time today.

Form: 312342

Mount Hanover⁵²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-5| J: D Robinson| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 126| CD

50/1

Dual winner over hurdles including in a Thurles (soft-to-heavy) novice contest over 2m4f last time out. Stepping up markedly in grade today.

Form: 2-33101

Pallasator²³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-5| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 137| D

12/1

Classy Flat performer and broke his maiden over hurdles at the third time of asking when winning over 2m4f at Leopardstown (soft) three weeks ago. Interesting runner today.

Form: 541

Real Steel¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: D J Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 143

10/1

Thurles maiden hurdle winner on soft ground in November but had his limitations exposed in Grade 1 contests since. More needed if he's to take this contest.

Form: 2-1F50

Riders Onthe Storm⁴⁹

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: J J Slevin| T: T J Taaffe| OR: 132| BF

20/1

Navan novice hurdle winner on heavy ground over 2m in January but could finish only second in a Listed contest at Punchestown (2m, heavy) last time out. Stepping up in trip today.

Form: 45-5212

Scarpeta¹⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 11-5| J: D E Mullins| T: W P Mullins| OR: 148

10/3

Three time Flat winner and impressed when winning over 2m at Gowran Park (heavy) in January. Ran well to finish fourth at Cheltenham subsequently and represents a leading stable today.

Form: 314

Forecasts

Duc Des Genievres (2/1), Scarpeta (10/3), Blow By Blow (9/2), Jetz (5/1), Real Steel (10/1), Pallasator (12/1), Riders Onthe Storm (20/1), Mount Hanover (50/1)

DUC DES GENIEVRES ran well for a long way in a Grade 1 contest at Cheltenham last time and he can register his first victory since joining the Willie Mullins stable in this Grade 2 novice contest. Blow By Blow looks likely to give the selection most to think about as he chases a hat-trick today while classy Flat performer Pallasator can register his first placed effort in Graded company by claiming third.