Ladbrokes Ireland Boyne Hurdle (Grade 2)

Off time: 14:20 | Winning time: 5m 25.8s

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Selected odds by:

Coquin Mans^h²⁴

Age: 7| Weight: 11-8| J: Paul Townend| T: W P Mullins| OR: 158

7/1

Hasn't shown a great deal of form in Grade 1 contests since winning a Grade 2 event over 2m4f at Fairyhouse last April. Big run not ruled out but may have to settle for playing second fiddle to stablemate.

Form: 2S14-P9

Bachasson⁴⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 11-3| J: Ruby Walsh| T: W P Mullins| OR: 147| D

13/8

Thought good enough to take his chance in the Cheltenham Gold Cup at the festival in March, but only getting as far as the second. Winner of a Punchestown contest on return to action over hurdles. Likely more to come for respected connections.

Form: 21/11F-1

Bless The Wings^p⁶⁵

Age: 14| Weight: 11-3| J: D N Russell| T: G Elliott| OR: 120| D

20/1

A joy to watch over Cheltenham's cross-country course in his pomp but it appears that age is catching up with the popular veteran. Tough ask and others preferred.

Form: FP34-56

Cracking Smart^p,t⁵¹

Age: 7| Weight: 11-3| J: Jack Kennedy| T: G Elliott| OR: 150

11/2

Listed novice winner over 3m in November 2017 at Cork before twice playing second fiddle to Next Destination in graded contests. Out of his depth in the Grade 1 Christmas hurdle at Leopardstown and has plenty to prove here following that effort.

Form: 1/1122-6

Off You Go¹⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 11-3| J: M P Walsh| T: C Byrnes| OR: 151

2/1

Had won three handicaps on the spin and gone up a total of 36lb before finishing eighth of 21 behind Wonder Laish at Fairyhouse in December. Winner of a Leopardstown handicap on return from the best part of two months off and leading player here.

Form: 311-181

Tiger Roll^b,t⁹³

Age: 9| Weight: 11-3| J: Keith Donoghue| T: G Elliott| OR: 140

12/1

159-rated chaser winner of the 2018 Grand National. Expected to use this contest as preparation for bigger things later in the season starting with defence of his Cross Country crown at the festival.

Form: 2P511-4

Forecasts

Bachasson (13/8), Off You Go (2/1), Cracking Smart (11/2), Coquin Mans (7/1), Tiger Roll (12/1), Bless The Wings (20/1)

The J P McManus-owned OFF YOU GO can handle the step up in class here after showing plenty of potential in a number of handicap hurdle efforts since October. The improving five-year-old can land the spoils here from the Willie Mullins-trained Bachasson who could emerge as the biggest danger with stablemate Coquin Mans and Cracking Smart hard to completely rule out.