Fermoy Maiden Hurdle

Off time: 19:06 | Winning time: 6m 53.06s

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Selected odds by:

Aherlow¹⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: A E Lynch| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 111| BF

4/1

Thrice runner-up in similar events last season, and would have been closer but for mistakes when beaten favourite at Tramore last month. Likely to do better on second start back from a break.

Form: 6/2225-

Amram²²

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: E O'Connell⁽⁷⁾| T: P Neville

16/1

No real threat in two hurdle starts this spring, but did plug on to be a respectable fourth of 18 in 2m3f maiden at Limerick on latter outing, and ought to appreciate the stiffer test of stamina here.

Form: 74-

Calderone³²

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: Rachael Blackmore| T: J J Hanlon| D

14/1

Better effort in bumpers when front-running fourth over 2m3f here last month on return from an absence. Likely to be sharper for that run, but further improvement needed if he's to make an impact on hurdles bow.

Form: 0/1P4-

Legal Lord^t¹⁵

Age: 7| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Slevin| T: S Neville| D

12/1

Looked very limited on early starts, but seemingly much improved on belated return when third at Fairyhouse (2m7f) last month. Tongue tie he wore for first time there is retained, but needs to prove he can back that up..

Form: 10P0P/3-

Roundstone¹⁰⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| D

5/2

€100,000 purchase as a 4-y-o prior to winning sole point in December, so disappointing that he ran so poorly on hurdles debut at Navan following month. Presumably capable of much better, however, and folly to ignore.

Form: 1P-

School Boy Hours⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 11-12| J: Mark Walsh| T: N Meade

5/4

Presenting half-brother to Finian's Oscar. Finished strongly from poor position when third of 21 on hurdles bow at Navan (2m) in March, and much better expected over a trip which looks sure to suit better. Leading claims.

Form: 3

Sullane Hill³³

Age: 6| Weight: 11-12| J: J J Burke| T: P C O'Connor| D

50/1

Point winner who showed some ability when fourth in a 2m bumper here in January, but ran well below that level when tailed off in similar event (2m3f) last month. Hurdles debut.

Form: 148-

Forecasts

School Boy Hours (5/4), Roundstone (5/2), Aherlow (4/1), Legal Lord (12/1), Calderone (14/1), Amram (16/1), Sullane Hill (50/1)

SCHOOL BOY HOURS was an eyecatching third on his hurdles debut at Navan over two miles, and this half-brother to the mercurial Finian's Oscar is open to plenty of improvement at this sort of trip. The consistent Aherlow sets the standard amongst the others, but a bigger threat may come from point winner Roundstone, who is surely much better than he could show in this sphere at Navan in January.